Bridge of Weir
Memorial

PTE W^M J M^cKENZIE 9^TH B.W.

S/6524 Private William John McKenzie

9th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

died of wounds 27th June 1916

aged 28


Bethune Town Cemetery
Freeland Church Memorial, Bridge of Weir


4 Windsor Place, Bridge of Weir
Son of John McKenzie and Margaret McKenzie
Husband of Margaret McKay Cowan
Father of John

His Life

William John McKenzie was born on 21st September 1888 in Monkton, Ayrshire, the eldest of a family of ten born to John McKenzie from Inverness and Margaret McKenzie from Lochalsh, Ross-shire who had married in Edinburgh on 8th December 1887.

In 1891, John (29), Margaret (29), William John and Annie Alexander were living in Nethermuir, Monkton. John was a gardener.

By 1901, the family of nine (without Annie Alexander) lived in Railway Land, Bridge of Weir. John was a jobbing gardener.

In 1911, eleven of the McKenzie family were living in a 3-roomed flat in 4 Windsor Place, Main Street, Bridge of Weir. John was still a jobbing gardener; William was a postman, Roderick an apprentice leather dresser, and Jessie a telegraph messenger. Margaret and eldest remaining single daughter Maggie minded the home. Five of the children were still at school.

On 29th November 1912, William married Margaret McKay Cowan in Irvine. Margaret was the daughter of William Cowan, railway superintendent and Christina McKay and was employed as a domestic servant in Morada, Bridge of Weir.

William volunteered for active service on 7th November 1914 and was enlisted into the Black Watch.

Private McKenzie first joined the theatre of war on 14th July 1915 in France with the 9th Battalion, the Black Watch which formed part of the 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. He was fortunate to survive the Battle of Loos later that year and was home on leave in January 1916. But in June that year he was mortally wounded by a bomb burst during a raid on enemy trenches and was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery about 18 miles north of Arras in the Pas de Calais in France. He left a widow and a three year old son, John, born on 5th January 1913.

William's younger brother Roderick survived the war, although wounded by shrapnel. He served with distinction in the 6th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, and was awarded the Military Medal for attending to wounded comrades under machine gun fire in October 1918.

Siblings

Sources

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• Scottish National War Memorial
• William John McKenzie birth certificate, 21st September 1888. Regd Monkton & Prestwick, Ayrshire 6th Oct 1888.
• 1891 UK Census: Parish: Monkton and Prestwick; ED:1; Page:24; Line:19; Roll: CSSCT1891_212.
• 1901 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan; ED:3; Page:18; Line:16; Roll: CSSCT1901_188.
• 1911 UK Census: Parish: Kilbarchan; Ward: Bridge of Weir; Page 13; Line: 18-28; 559/0B 002/00 013.
• William John McKenzie and Margaret McKay Cowan marriage certificate, 29th November 1912. Regd Irvine, Ayrshire, 30th November 1912
• John McKenzie birth certificate, 5th January 1913. Regd Bridge of Weir 26th Jamuary 1913
• Pte William John McKenzie: service and family details supplied by family
• Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette
• 7th November 1914: William John McKenzie, Postman, 4 Windsor Place, enlisted for the Royal Highlanders, the famous Black Watch.
• 26th June 1915: WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL: A letter has been received from Roderick McKenzie, serving with the 6th H.L.I., stating that he has been wounded on the right side by shrapnel, and is now in hospital making good recovery. He has been in the trenches for some time now, and has another brother, William, in the Black Watch. Both resided at 4 Windsor-place. Lance-Corporal John E. Watson, Windsor-place, has also been wounded on the leg by shrapnel, while engaged as a signaller in the Royal Engineers, Highland Division Corps. He is progressing favourably.
• 8th January 1916: William McKenzie home on 7 days leave with Private Peter Higgins, having survived the tragic Battle of Loos. (Both residing at Cameron Place)
• 8th July 1916: Intimation has been received at Bridge of Weir of the death, on service, of Private Wm. J. Mackenzie, 9th Black Watch. Pte. Mackenzie was well known locally, having been for several years in the Post Office service as postman. He met his death in a bombing raid, when an enemy bomb burst close at hand and so seriously injured him that he succumbed to his injuries a short time after being taken into hospital. He leaves a widow and one child, to whom much sympathy is extended, as also to his parents and brothers and sisters, in their sad loss. Several kind letters from chaplain, officers and comrades have been received, all in strong appreciation of the deceased soldier.
• 25th January 1919: Private Roderick McKenzie of 1 - 6th A & SH, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in attending wounded comrades under severe enemy machine gun fire in October last. He is the second son of Mr John McKenzie, gardener, Windsor Place. His elder brother Private William McKenzie, 9th Black Watch, fell at Loos in 1915. [ed NOTE: Not correct. William died in June 1916. He survived the Battle of Loos.]
• 7th June 1919: BRIDGE OF WEIR: Two of the five postmen, who were all in service, have resumed their duties, another two made the supreme sacrifice, while one still remains in service.
• 14th June 1919: BRIDGE OF WEIR: In Bridge of Weir news last week, it was stated that two Post Office employees had returned from the Army to resume work and two had made the supreme sacrifice. Three postmen have fallen in the war, viz: Private William Kerr, 9th Black Watch, Private William McKenzie, 9th Black Watch, and Private William Blackley, HLI.
• 28th June 1919: - IN MEMORIAM: In loving memory of Private William MacKenzie, 9th Black Watch, who died of wounds in France, 28th June 1916.
  He left behind some aching hearts,
  Who loved him very dear,
  Hearts that never can forget,
  For his memory is written here.
  Inserted by his Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers. 4 Windsor Place, Bridge of Weir.
• 2nd August 1919: Military Medals awarded to local Territorial: Private R. McKenzie, Bridge of Weir.
• 26th June 1920: IN MEMORIAM: In proud and loving memory of William J McKenzie, 9th Black Watch, who died of wounds on 28th June, 1916, in his 28th year. One of the great company "whose name liveth forevermore." Inserted by his Widow and Son 1 Windsor Place, Bridge of Weir.
• Unit War Diaries: 9th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 3 July 1915 - 15 May 1918: WO95/1937/2, National Archives.
  • CENTRE SUB-SECTION of HULLUCH SECTION: 25 June 1916: In Brigade - Support - Very quiet.
  • 26 June 1916: "D" Coy 13 EAST SURREYS on conclusion of course of instruction left trenches. There relieved by "D" Coy 9th B.W. who had been in BETHUNE since 24th practising for a raid to be carried out early tomorrow. - Intermittent bombardment throughout the day by both sides - Capt. W. STOREY-WILSON wounded - shrapnel - arm.
  • 27 June 1916: Following artillery bombardment "D" Company under 2/Lt W. ANDERSON attempted a raid on a small redoubt in the GERMAN Line. The enemy were however undemoralised by the bombardment, and in position to repel any attack. The encounter developed into a bombing one merely. 2/Lt ANDERSON & 2 men alone penetrating the enemy's wire. The casualties were 17 wounded, of whom 3 died after being brought back to our lines. The enemy losses probably about the same. 2/Lt ANDERSON shot three with his revolver.
• Divisional History: The Fifteenth (Scottish) Division 1914-1919: page 73.
  • Organised raids on portions of the enemy's line now began to take the place of the smaller patrol and bombing attacks which had been in vogue in the past. The first of these was carried out by a company of the 9th Black Watch under Captain Storey Wilson on June 27 against the enemy trenches east of the Quarries. Unfortunately most of the raiders lost direction, one officer and two men only being able to enter enemy trenches. The party suffered 15 casualties, all wounded and brought in. [NOTE, ed. The War Diary manuscript shows that Captain Storey-Wilson was in fact wounded by shrapnel on the day before the raid and seems unlikely to have participated. 2/Lt Anderson led the raid.]
• Freeland United Free Church. Record Since July 1916. Pub. December 1916.
  o Deaths: On Active Service: June 28 - Pte. William Mackenzie, Black Watch.
• Medals: Victory, British War, 1915 Star.

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