Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private D. R. Mackenzie, 3rd Battalion, Australian Infantry, who was severely wounded at Gallipoli in August 1915, received a shrapnel wound in the face in France in August 1916, and was killed in action in France on 4 November 1916

1914-15 Star (2257 Pte. D. R. Mackenzie. 3/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2257 Pte. D. R. Mackenzie. 3-Bn. A.I.F.) together with Memorial Plaque (Donald Robertson Mackenzie) the 1914-15 Star gilded, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £300-£400

Donald Robertson Mackenzie, Private, Australian Expeditionar Force, was the son of Mr Finlay Mackenzie, of 114 Newhaven Road, Leith. After serving his apprenticeship with a firm of wholesale seed merchants in Leith, eh emigrated with his eldest brother to the U.S.A., where they engaged in ranching in Oregon. He afterwards proceeded to Australia and took to sheep farming about 500 miles from Sydney. In June 1915 he joined the A.I.F. and saw service in the Gallipoli campaign until he was severely wounded by gunshot wounds to the chest on 8 August 1915. Invalided to England he spent nine months in hospital. Rejoining his Battalion in France in June 1916, he received a shrapnel wound in the face on 19 August 1916, rejoining his unit three days later. He was killed in action on 4 November 1916, whilst taking part in an operation against the enemy’s position.

His soldierly qualities had won him the offer of a commission in the Seaforth Highlanders, to accept which he was on the point of leaving his battalion when he met his fate. His Lieutenant-Colonel wrote of him “He fell gallantly doing his duty. His loss is greatly regretted by myself and his comrades, as that of a loyal, brave, gallant soldier, who was always ready to do his duty.” (Stewart’s College Magazine, April 1917, refers)

Donald Robertson Mackenzie is commemorated by name on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Sold with comprehensive service records from National Archives of Australia and a photographic image of the recipient in uniform.