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1 - RECORDS OF THE MEN OF LOCHBROOM
1914
9272. SGT. JOHN MACKENZIE,
2nd Bn. H.L.I.
Aged 28.
Eldest son of Capt. John Mackenzie, Southend, Letters, Lochbroom.
| Enlisted at Greenock |
1904 |
| Upon transfer to Reserve joined the Mercantile Marine. |
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| Mobilized |
3rd August, 1914. |
| Proceeded to France |
Sept. 1914. |
| Killed in action at St. Julien |
21st Oct. 1914. |
Had six brothers serving –
- Alick Mackenzie, Lovat Scouts.
- Edward Mackenzie, Mine Sweeper.
- Kenneth Mackenzie, 4th Seaforths.
- Murdo Mackenzie, H.M.T. St Edmond.
- Peter Mackenzie, H.M.Y. Nairn.
- William Mackenzie, H.M.S. Petroleum.
To the first Seven Divisions.
"Oh little force, that in your agony
Stood fast while others girt their armour on,
Held high our honour in your wounded hands,
Carried our honour safe with bleeding feet -
We have no glory great enough for you,
The very soul of Britain keeps your day." - Beatrice Brice.
Official records state that he was (a) aged 27 and not 28 as stated above, (b) was a Corporal and not a Sergeant. |
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Also commemorated locally on a family grave in Clachan, Lochbroom:
“SERGT. JOHN MACKENZIE H.L.I.
KILLED IN ACTION
AT ST. JULIEN, FRANCE
21 OCT 1914, AGED 28 YEARS.”
Information kindly shared by Peter Newling:
John Mackenzie was the eldest of several brothers from what is now the first croft in Letters – Southend. He joined the Highland Light Infantry as a regular in 1904, but after a period of service left the army for the Mercantile Marine though remaining a Reservist (liable to be recalled in the event of hostilities). Just before war was declared John was among those mobilised and joined the 2nd Battalion HLI.
As regulars the Battalion was sent to France almost at once and took part in a number of actions in Belgium in those crucial early weeks. John Mackenzie was acting Sergeant when on the St Julien-Poelcappelle road near Ypres on 21st October 1914 his unit was moving forward in attack and was caught by heavy fire. John was among those killed.
He was aged 26. He has no known grave, and his name is one of those on the Menin Gate in Ypres. Of his brothers, Alick (Piper) was in the Lovat Scouts, Murdo on HMT ransport St. Edmund, Edward on minesweepers, William on HMS Petroleum and Kenneth in the 4th Seaforths.
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