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    FEIT Home >School & Facilities >AMME > R W McKenzie Bio

    Captain R.W.McKenzie

    A Brief Biography

    Robert William McKenzie was born in Adelaide, South Australia on 23 June 1895. With a initial background as a Chemist he enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Corps on 19 August 1914. His first posting was as a private in the 2nd Field Ambulance Corp. At the start of WWI, he embarked for Europe from Melbourne aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19 October. On 18 May 1915, McKenzie joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli, where he served until he was evacuated in July due to illness. After several postings with Field Ambulance corps and then the Artillery Divisions in Egypt, he rose to the rank of corporal and eventually transfered to to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) on 2 December and attended the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) School of Military Aeronautics, Reading, England for pilot training. On 24 April 1917 he was commissioned second lieutenant and posted to an active combat squadron.

    McKenzie progressed through several AFC Squadrons and was promoted to lieutenant in July 1917. He was stationed in France for the remainder of 1917 and the first part of 1918. His first combat flights were done in an Airco DeHavilland DH5, involving low-flying reconnaissance, enemy artillery and machine-gun installation bombing and aerial combat. During this period he scored his first air combat victory shooting down a German Albatros DV. In early 1918 his squadron was re-equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a's and five more victories followed. In March 1918 McKenzie was awarded the Military Cross for destroying hostile aircraft.

    Lt. Robert William McKenzie, Aust. F.C., attd. R.F.C.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As a result of engaging hostile aircraft during four months, he on four occasions has destroyed a total of four hostile machines. He has also carried out numerous low-flying reconnaissances, in which he has bombed and engaged with machine-gun fire enemy formations. He has at all times displayed marked determination and devotion to duty. Supplement to the London Gazette, 13 May 1918 (30681/5707)
     

    On 8 April 1918, McKenzie returned back to England to join the AFC No. 8 Training Squatron and was granted the temporary rank of captain. He was unfortunately hospitilised in June with a broken leg and gun shot abrasions due to a training accident and was eventually declared unfit for further flying duties. In 1919 McKenzie was invalided out of the services and returned to Australia.

    In Australia, he returned to civilian life and in 1944 married Flight Officer Majorie Nell Palfreyman, WAAAF. This period in his life was unfortunately cut short when he accidently drowned in a boating mishap on Sydney Harbour on 28 April 1945.

    References :
     
    http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/REL/14565.003 -- May - 2012
    http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/australi/mckenzie.php -- May - 2012

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