Albert Edward McKenzie

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

He was 19 years old, and an able seaman in the Royal Navy during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 April/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, Able Seaman McKenzie was a member of a storming party on the night of the operation. 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. 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.

Further information

[http://www.mckenzie.uk.com/zeebrugge/index.htm Home Page - Albert McKenzie VC- The Raid on Zeebrugge 1918 ] at www.mckenzie.uk.com

The medal

His Victoria Cross is still owned by the McKenzie family and is on loan to the Imperial War Museum "(London, England)".

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)
*The Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids 1918 (Deborah Lake)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/lonseast.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(S.E. London)"
* [http://www.mckenzie.uk.com/zeebrugge/index.htm Albert McKenzie and the Raid on Zeebrugge] "(highly detailed site produced by his great nephew Colin McKenzie)"