2/419 Capt. James Girdwood McKenzie
NZEF Trio - MiD - 2/419 McKenzie
The 1914/15 Star trio issued to 2/419 Capt. J.G. McKenzie, who was wounded on Gallipoli, commissioned and Mentioned in Despatches in 1916.
James Girdwood McKenzie was born at Wellington on 23rd October 1888. Son of James Girdwood and Margaret McKenzie (née Meek). At the time of his enlistment in 1914 he was working as a bushman near Danniverke. He had completed five years Territorial service with D Battery, NZ Field Artillery and was posted to the NZFA on attestation in August 1914.
James embarked with the Main Body, NZEF and by APril 1915 had been promoted to sergeant. He served on Gallipoli from the landing with 1st Battery, NZFA until suffering a gunshot wound on 29th May. He was evacuated to Egypt but by early July, had returned to the peninsula. He was commissioned in late July and was promoted to lieutenant in November 1915. Back in Egypt following the evacuation, he was appointed Adjutant, 3rd Brigade NZFA and deployed to France. He was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of 13th November 1916:
"Adjutant to the Brigade. This officer has carried out his duties in a most concentious and efficent manner, from the formation of the Brigade in March 1916, to the present date, also when Adjutant of the First Brigade from Sept 1915 to March 1916, I cannot speak too highly of this officer's work and devotion to duty. His capability and organisation has been of the very greatest assistance to me, and I have the greatest confidence in his ability to "carry on" and take responsibilities. Has been continually at duty since leaving with the Main Body, except for 6 weeks when he was wounded in 1915."
James was promoted to captain in January 1917, he served as a battery commander until June, when he was classified as unfit for continued service due to asthma. He was evacuated to the UK and in November 1917, returned to New Zealand.
After the war James married Mary Keane (in 1920), and lived in various places around the Wairarapa and Waikato. He served in the Home Guard during WW2, eventually retiring to Auckland. He died on 28th May 1973 and his ashes were interred in Papatoetoe Cemetery.
The medals are all correctly impressed 2/419 CAPT. J.G. McKENZIE. N.Z.E.F. The Gallipoli Lapel Badge is also correctly engraved (issued in 1967) but is unable to be photographed.