James Mckenzie
Private, 2nd Battalion. Scots Guards
- Register No.
- 800 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Scots Guards all Scots Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 19 December 1914 on this day → all of 1914 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th February, 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 2nd April, 1889 at West Glen, New Abbey, Kirkcudbright, Scotland
- Died
- in action on 19th December 1914 at Rouges Bancs, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium and a tablet at Trogneer Parish Church, Maxwelltown, Dumfries, also a portrait of Private McKenzie was hung at his old school,
Digest of citation
A stretcher party, had been forced to abandon an attempt to rescue a wounded man at Rouges Bancs, on 19th December 1914. Private McKenzie under extremely heavy fire, went out and rescued the man from where he lay, in front of the German trenches. Later on the same day, whilst carrying out the same kind of rescue, Private McKenzie was killed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McKENZIE, James. (reg No. 800).
Private. 2nd Battalion. Scots Guards.
London Gazetted on 18th February, 1915.
Born 2nd April, 1889 at West Glen, New Abbey, Kirkcudbright, Scotland.
Killed in action on 19th December 1914 at Rouges Bancs, France.
Memorials at Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium and a tablet at Trogneer Parish Church, Maxwelltown, Dumfries, also a portrait of Private McKenzie was hung at his old school, .
Digest of Citation reads: A stretcher party, had been forced to abandon an attempt to rescue a wounded man at Rouges Bancs, on 19th December 1914. Private McKenzie under extremely heavy fire, went out and rescued the man from where he lay, in front of the German trenches. Later on the same day, whilst carrying out the same kind of rescue, Private McKenzie was killed.
Additional information:. Private McKenzie was the son of Alexander and Marion (née Miller) McKenzie. He was educated at Laurieknowe Public School, Maxwelltown. On the 16th February 1912, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards.
Additional information
Private McKenzie was the son of Alexander and Marion (née Miller) McKenzie. He was educated at Laurieknowe Public School, Maxwelltown. On the 16th February 1912, he joined the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium and a tablet at Trogneer Parish Church, Maxwelltown, Dumfries, also a portrait of Private McKenzie was hung at his old school,
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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