Mackenzie / McKenzie / Mack
An unranked engineering-layout partner in January and February 1916 ("Went up with Mckenzie to lay out section II"; "Laid out dugouts Sec. I with Mackenzie"), who receives his own commission that July. From October 1916 he becomes a close, roommate-level companion under the nickname "Mack" (sharing the Padre's house at billets ("Mack & I are in the Padre's house"), riding and touring together, and going off on a five-week course to Boulogne), continuing into January 1917 ("Mack & I are a poor combination"; handing off Reserve Line duty to him). Also turns up under "McKenzie"/"MacKenzie" through the same stretch, sharing quarters (Dec 13, 1916; Jan 7, 1917), wounded by July 1917, and in for breakfast that December. Kept distinct from three other mentions, none this engineering companion: "Maj. McKenzie, 8th Bn" (April 11, 1917): a major in the 8th Battalion, now identified as J. P. Mackenzie, later the Brigade Major of the 1st Engineer Brigade (see Col. McKenzie); an unranked "McKenzie" (April 19, 1918) laid out by the same shell that killed Plow and wounded Alan Powell, tied to the 14th Battalion; and Col. McKenzie / Col. Mack himself, the senior officer of 1917–18.
Appears in the diary · 14 entries
1916
- 13 January 1916Bright A.M. - Stormy P.M. Went up with Mckenzie to lay out section II. Picked up whizz-bang shelling R.C.H.A. again. - Joe bolted with me …
- 24 January 1916… d. - Borrowed 5 men from Wulgm sw. Party to try & drain sec. II - Not much luck - Laid out dugouts Sec. I with Mackenzie till Fritz started to strafe ft. Pinkey & burst H.E.'s promiscuous when we quit. Visited …
- 8 February 1916… ght. - The show didn’t come off last night. Breakfast in bed again this A.M. - Couple of letters from Hazel. - McKenzie I/c 3rd Bn. working party again tonight. - Phoned brigade & a party cancelled on account …
- 13 July 1916Cloudy. – Infantry drill & inspection. – Mackenzie got his commission. – Rode over to 9th Co’y to get some stuff for dinner.
- 13 October 1916And 13 of us rode down on the wagon – That must have broken the spell. – Mack got no party again this morning & it is a dam shame – 3 full nights work on that road whi …
- 17 October 1916… o look for billets. – Well [?]. – Decidedly different to those we had in HALLOY six weeks ago on our way in. – Mack & I are in the Padre’s house. – His housekeeper insists on giving us sheets for the beds. …
- 18 October 1916Showery. – Casey, Mack & I rode into DOMART & back across country. – Very interesting old place. – And beautiful …
- 19 October 1916… reat success. – Small & select gathering etc. – A madame & 2 Mademoiselles from Paris. – A 15th Johnny, Casey, Mack & I. – Luck at the Piano, Pearson & Giles Violin & Banjo. – Am afraid this life is not co …
- 29 October 1916… ussed around the O.R. Rode over to Corps Park again to rustle material. – When I got back, Pete had orders for Mack to proceed to BOULOGNE on 5 weeks course, so me for the line. – Some co’y, – run by 3 sou …
- 13 December 191611.50P.M. – A wet sloppy night. – Just in & thankful I’m not in the infantry. – Starting to snow. – MacKenzie just in too, – wet & cold – I’m trying to cheer him up. – He’s keeping the homefires burn …
1917
- 14 January 1917… – It would be alright if he didn't make mistakes himself. – Atter parade I started in to clean up the room. – Mack & I are a poor combination for we are both as untidy as can be. – Also cleaned out the cu …
- 24 January 1917… there would have been very flattering (also “flattening”) – Casey got back from leave this A.M. – Came up with Mack. this aft. – Goes on course soon.
- 27 January 1917… dqs of Co’ys in the line & found out what they new[sic] of the wire. – Wrote up a nice report after lunch & as Mack came up with word of a relief walked back to BULLY with him to talk to the Maj. about it. …
- 20 December 1917… the cold in order to give our refugee friends any assistance they req’d. – The C.O. left early but the "Doc" & McKenzie stayed to brekker. Chasing round all morning. – Damp raw in the yard & think I got a bit …