Albert Edward McKenzie

Albert McKenzie VC
Albert McKenzie returns home with his VC
Born 23 October 1898
Bermondsey, London
Died 3 November 1918 (aged 20)
Chatham Naval Hospital, Kent
Buried Camberwell Old Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Years of service 1913 - 1918
Rank Able Seaman
Unit HMS Vindictive
Battles/wars World War I †
Awards Victoria Cross

Albert Edward McKenzie VC (23 October 1898 – 3 November 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

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]

A statue in honour of Albert McKenzie VC was unveiled on 23 October, (the 117th anniversary of his birth), at the junction of Tower Bridge Road, Decima Street and Bermondsey Street in the London Borough of Southwark.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is still owned by the McKenzie family and is on loan to the Imperial War Museum in London.

References

  1. ↑ "Albert Edward Mckenzie - WW1 memorial and Life Story". Imperial War Museum & D C Thompson. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "No. 30807". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 July 1918. p. 8586.
  3. ↑ CWGC entry
  4. ↑ Albert Edward McKenzie, Grave locations for holders of the Victoria Cross, South East London Archived 2004-10-28 at the Wayback Machine.
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