Official record (CWGC)

Cemetery / Memorial: Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Grave: Panel 11.

Location and Map (CWGC)

Local Memorial: Ullapool, Left Panel, 11th from the top.

The official records put his age as being 26 and not 25 as stated above, that he was a Private and not a Gunner.

Information kindly shared by Peter Newling:

Simon Mackenzie is another Letters man. He was son of Murdo and Maggie Mackenzie (Allan). The family moved up to live at Burnbrae at the time of the war, but Simon was brought up in the previous family home that was on the shore just north of Millburn. Simon worked in the Imperial Hotel in Inverness and joined the 1st Cameron Highlanders in October 1914. He served in France and was wounded in 1915. In 1918 Simon transferred to the Tank Corps that had been re-organised as the tanks became technically developed and tactically more important. Simon died when his tank went on fire on 23rd August 1918. He was in the 8th Battalion which had just been issued with the new Mark V machines - they were in action that day near Albert, but Simon’s name is on the memorial at Vis-en-Artois further north which suggests his tank may have been in the fighting that day on the Arras-Cambrai road. Simon was aged 25.

Information kindly shared by Robbie Mackenzie:

He was the son of Murdo MacKenzie and Margaret MacRae (Family name 'Allan') from Letters. Descendants in the area are Allan/Simon MacKenzie, Tir Alluin MacLeans, Poley MacLennans. Taffy MacLeans etc. Murdo (Simon) MacKenzie was named after him and that is why that branch of the Allans are referred to as Simon and not Allan.

The connection with the Parish today is not known.