Albert Edward McKenzie :Victoria Cross, War Memorial

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by CL1, Nov 22, 2017.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    at the junction of Tower Bridge Road, Decima Street and Bermondsey Street in the London Borough of Southwark



    Able SeamanMCKENZIE, ALBERT EDWARD
    Service Number J/31736

    Died 03/11/1918

    Aged 20

    H.M.S. "Vindictive."
    Royal Navy

    V C

    Son of Alexander and Eliza McKenzie, of 1, Shorncliffe Rd., Old Kent Rd., London. Born at Bermondsey.


    INSCRIPTION
    ALSO HIS BELOVED MOTHER FOR THEIR TO-MORROW WE GAVE OUR TO-DAY
    CITATION

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30807, dated 19th July, 1918, record the following

    "For most conspicuous gallantry. This rating belonged to B Company of seaman storming party. On the night of the operation he landed on the mole with his machine-gun in the face of great difficulties, and did very good work, using his gun to the utmost advantage. He advanced down the mole with Lieut. Comdr. Harrison, who with most of his party was killed, and accounted for several of the enemy running from a shelter to a destroyer alongside the mole. This very gallant seaman was severely wounded whilst working his gun in an exposed position."

    Able Seaman McKenzie was selected by the men of the 'Vindictive,' 'Iris II.' and 'Daffodil,' and of the naval assaulting force to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated the 29th January, 1856.



    McKenzie was a 19-year-old able seaman in the Royal Navy during the First World War who was taking part in the Zeebrugge Raid when he performed the deed for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, Able Seaman McKenzie was a member of a storming party on the night of the operation.[1] He landed with his machine-gun in the face of great difficulties, advancing down the Mole with his commanding officer (Arthur Leyland Harrison) who with most of his party was killed. The seaman accounted for several of the enemy running for shelter to a destroyer alongside the Mole, and was severely wounded whilst working his gun in an exposed position.[2]

    He was presented with his VC by King George V at Buckingham Palace, and after almost recovering from his wounds he died of influenza during the world flu pandemic in October 1918.[3] He is buried in Camberwell Old Cemetery, South London [4]


    Albert Edward McKenzie - Wikipedia
     
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