Kenneth Buchanan McKenzie was born in Sunderland on the 8th July 1881, youngest surviving son of late George McKenzie, Sunderland, Durham, and his wife, Isabella Ann (7 South Park Road, Harrogate), daughter of John Kidson, of Sunderland.
He was educated at Mr Roscoe's, Oatlands, Harrogate, and Rugby (Scholar). He served in the latter part of the South African War, 1902. He was with the Imperial Yeomanry as a 2nd Lieutenant, gazetted 2nd Lieutenant South Lancashire Regiment from the Militia on the 27th January 1904.
Transferred to the Indian Army on the 4th February 1906, then was promoted to a Lieutenant on the 27th April 1907.
He married at Bombay Cathedral in December 1906 Nancy Una, only child of Ellis Bamfield Cole Green of Ramsgate. They had one child Auriol Joan, born 13th June 1913.
Finally promoted to a Captain 30th August 1912, he subsequently passed the examinations in Chinese and the preliminary Russian interpreter. He was about to proceed to Russia when war broke out. He re-joined his regiment in India in August 1914. Appointed Adjutant, served in France from August 1915, he brought a draft from India with him.
He was killed in action at the Battle of Loos on the 25th September 1915.
The General Commanding his Division, in a letter to his Colonel, said:-Re McKenzie. I wish every regiment in my command had as good an Adjutant. Captain McKenzie was a good all-round sportsman and an excellent linguist.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
