George McKenzie (1890-1944)

8 January 1918

Wyndham City Libraries

text

eng

George McKenzie

3700

Mrs Ann Henderson (Aunt)

33 Dudley Street,
West Melbourne.

Single

Williamstown Cemetery, Victoria.

No.3700  Private George McKenzie
Before moving to Australia, George McKenzie previously served as a volunteer with the 7th Royal Scots Regiment.

War Service
At the age of 27 years, George McKenzie swore his oath of enlistment with the A.I.F. at Melbourne on 8 January 1918 and went to the Broadmeadows Camp for initial training. His training was completed on 4 February 1918, and he was appointed to the 1st (Depot) Battalion A.I.F. He was subsequently appointed to the 10^th Reinforcements for the 58th Battalion on 15 February 1918.

Private McKenzie embarked from Melbourne per H.M.A.T. Ormonde on 6 March 1918 with the reinforcements, and sailed to Egypt where he disembarked on 4 April 1918.  He remained at the Australian Camp at Suez for three weeks before embarking from Port Tewfik (or Port Taufiq, now called Suez Port) on 30 April 1918, per T15 Ellenga, and sailed to England. After disembarking at Southampton on the 15 May 1918, he marched in to the 14th Training Battalion at Codford, to continue his training.

After three months in training camp in the south of England, Private McKenzie proceeded overseas to France via Folkstone on 8 August 1918, and he was taken on strength with the 58th Battalion on 12 August 1918. They were in the front line at Amiens, and were part of the allied Offensive Action against the German Army.

At the beginning of September 1918 the battalion were part of the fighting around Peronne, and they took part in the strategic breakthrough of the German Lines along the St. Quentin Canal. This was one of the last major battles of the Great War.

On the second day of that battle, 30 September 1918, Private McKenzie was admitted to hospital suffering with a sprained knee.  In need of further treatment, he was evacuated to England on 4 October 1918, where he was admitted to the Military Hospital at Bethnal Green.

He was still in hospital when the Armistice was declared on the 11 November 1918, and after he was discharged, he returned to Australia on HMAT Mamsari as an invalid passenger. George embarked on 21 December 1918, and disembarked at Melbourne on 4 February 1919. Private McKenzie was formally discharged from the A.I.F. through the 3^rd Military District on 19 February 1919, and returned to civilian life.

Post War
After leaving the A.I.F. George McKenzie lived at 28 Kororoit Creek Road, North Williamstown.  He married Annie Florence Klemke in Victoria in 1921.
(Cert No.12141/1921)

Between 1924 and 1927 they continued living at 28 Kororoit Creek Road, North Williamstown, and George worked as a paper cutter.  In 1931 they relocated to 34 Kororoit Creek Road, North Williamstown, and remained there for the rest of their lives.

George “MacKenzie” died on 24 November 1944 and was buried in the Williamstown Cemetery on 24 November 1944.
(Ancestry.com)
His death and funeral were reported in The Williamstown Chronicle, 8 December 1944, p.1.

A death notice for George (Mac) “MacKenzie” was also published in The Argus, 25 November 1944, p.18 "Dearly loved husband of Anne MacKenzie, and loving father of Margaret and Duncan."

Annie Florence McKenzie died on 24 September 1974 and was buried in the Williamstown Cemetery PRES*M*24.5**2 (Ancestry.com)

Medals and Entitlements:

• British War Medal
• Victory Medal

Notes
Name on the Werribee Shire Oak Board: “McKENZIE, G”

The name “McKenzie, G. from West Footscray” first appeared in the Roll of Honor, Werribee Shire Banner, 13 February 1919, p.3 after the war had ended. 

Embarkation - https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/
Unit War Diary - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection
Death – ancestry.com.au
Service Record – https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
Marriage – ancestry.com.au
Pioneer Index 1837-1888 CD
Federation Index 1889-1901 CD
Edwardian Index 1902-1913 CD
Great War Index 1914-1920 CD
Marriage Index 1921-1942 CD

British War Medal

Victory Medal