John Mckenzie
Sergeant, 2nd Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders
- Register No.
- 801 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders all Seaforth Highlanders VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 June 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Third Ashanti Expedition
- London Gazette
- 15th January 1901 on this day → all of 1901 →
- Born
- 22nd November, 1870 at Contin, Ross-shire, Scotland
- Died
- in action on 17th May 1915 near Cuinchy, France
- Memorial / grave
- in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France
Digest of citation
On 6th June 1900 at Dompoassi, in Ashanti, Africa, Sergeant McKENZIE volunteered to clear the stockades of the enemy, even though he was wounded, after operating two Maxim guns. Showing great gallantry and leading the charge himself, they drove the enemy headlong into the bush
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McKENZIE, John. (reg No. 801).
Sergeant. 2nd Battalion. Seaforth Highlanders * London Gazetted on 15th January 1901.
Born on 22nd November, 1870 at Contin, Ross-shire, Scotland.
Killed in action on 17th May 1915 near Cuinchy, France.
Memorial on grave in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 6th June 1900 at Dompoassi, in Ashanti, Africa, Sergeant McKENZIE volunteered to clear the stockades of the enemy, even though he was wounded, after operating two Maxim guns. Showing great gallantry and leading the charge himself, they drove the enemy headlong into the bush.
* Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs .
Additional information:. Major Mckenzie, (of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment), after the above deed, was promoted to Second Lieutenant and Mentioned in Despatches. He had served in seven campaigns and was Mentioned in Despatches four times. He is said to have had a dauntless courage, showing no fear and inspiring those around him with a fighting spirit. More to be added.
Additional information
Major Mckenzie, (of the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment), after the above deed, was promoted to Second Lieutenant and Mentioned in Despatches. He had served in seven campaigns and was Mentioned in Despatches four times. He is said to have had a dauntless courage, showing no fear and inspiring those around him with a fighting spirit. More to be added.
* Duke of Albany's Ross-shire Buffs .
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: in the Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France
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.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour John Mckenzie by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.