Last week Mr Mackenzie, road surfaceman, Achterneed, received the sad intelligence of the death in action of his son, 3368 Lance Corporal Archie Mackenzie, Seaforths, on the 11th inst. Lce.Cpl. Mackenzie was a gardener with the Countess of Cromartie at Castle Leod for a considerable time, and left there to take up an appointment at Helensburgh, where he was employed when war broke out. A fine, clean, upstanding type, he was much interested in athletics, and was a capital distance runner. He won the half-mile against all-comers at Strathpeffer during his last year there – no mean feat, as some of the best Scotch runners competed. Lance Corporal Mackenzie joined the Army as a stretcher-bearer, and gained the Military Medal “for very gallant conduct in Montauban and Bernafay Wood. On many occasions between and including July 5th and July 13th, 1916, he remained in the open under fire assisting and collecting the wounded, and showed the greatest devotion to duty, particularly on the 12th, when he undoubtedly saved the life of a man with a cut artery by assisting and by running him in on a stretcher to a first aid post through a barrage of [obliterated].”

On the day he was killed word came through that he had been granted a Bar to his M.M., but, unfortunately, Lce.Cpl. Mackenzie never knew of it, as word could not be sent to him in time. He gained the Bar to his Medal when in charge of a demolition party who were to blow up a hostile “Pill Box”. The party who were with him retired, but he maintained his ground in front of the position, and kept up a harassing fire on the enemy till the infantry could again advance.
His Captain writes: “Your son was the best man I had in the company, and the most popular. His infinitely good humour and courage were an example to all of us, and he never failed at the most trying times”. He was buried with full military honours, the whole company turning out to pay the last respects to one they each regarded as a friend. His platoon officer writes: “Knowing him for a long time, I can bear testimony to his unique qualifications as one of the finest soldiers that ever wore the King’s uniform”. A very sympathetic letter was also received from his Lieutenant Colonel and from the Chaplain, who both speak in very high terms of Lce.Cpl. Mackenzie’s bravery and good qualities.

The sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved family on the loss of so gallant a son and brother.

Other two brothers are serving with the Colours. Pte. John Mackenzie, Seaforths, one of the brothers is at present in hospital suffering from severe burns received from a German flame-thrower. A photograph of Lce.Cpl. Mackenzie appears today.