British War Medal 1914-20 : Captain R W McKenzie, Australian Flying Corps

British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Associated with the service of 157 Lieutenant Robert William McKenzie. McKenzie was born in Adelaide, South Australia on 23 June 1895 and was a chemist on enlistment in the Australian Army Medical Corps on 19 August 1914. He embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Wiltshire on 19 October as a private in 2 Field Ambulance with the service number 157.

On 18 May 1915, McKenzie joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli, where he served until he was evacuated sick in July. On 24 February 1916 he transferred to the 14th Field Ambulance at Serapaum, Egypt. He transferred to 5th Division Artillery, Tel-el-Kebir on 20 March and posted to 53rd Battery, 14th Field Artillery Brigade. McKenzie was promoted temporary bombardier on 24 April, bombardier on 16 May and corporal on 17 August.

He transferred to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) on 2 December and joined the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) School of Military Aeronautics, Reading, England on 5 December. On 24 April 1917 he was commissioned second lieutenant and posted to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC). McKenzie was taken on strength at 69 (Aust) Squadron RFC on 14 May before being taken on strength of 68 (Aust) Squadron RFC on 7 June. He was promoted to lieutenant on 24 July and posted to 41 Squadron RFC on 26 July. He rejoined 68 (Aust) Squadron on 18 August.

McKenzie proceeded to France on 21 September and was recommended for a Military Cross on 19 March 1918 for destroying our hostile aircraft. He had also carried out numerous low-flying reconnaissances in which he bombed and engaged with machine-gun fire enemy formations.

On 8 April 1918, McKenzie returned back to England to join the Home Establishment as a temporary flight commander with 8 (Training) Squadron AFC. He was also granted the temporary rank of captain at this time. On 18 June McKenzie attended 1 School of Special Flying, Gosport, but was admitted to Tetbury Cottage Hospital on 13 August suffering shot abrasions and a broken left leg. McKenzie transferred to Cobham Hall Hospital on 18 October and was declared 'unfit pilot or observer more than six months' on 23 October. He marched out to AFC Headquarters on 6 January 1919 for return to Australia as an invalid. He boarded HT Czaritza on 16 March and disembarked at Melbourne on 15 May. McKenzie's appointment in the AIF was terminated in Melbourne on 17 October 1919.

In 1944, McKenzie married 351081 Flight Officer Majorie Nell Palfreyman, WAAAF but drowned after falling from a launch in Sydney Harbour on 28 April 1945.