The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E., (Military) in Garrard, London, case of issue; Queen’s South Africa Medal clasps, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal (LIEUT. W.S. MACKENZIE. GLOUC. REGT.); 1914-15 Star (CAPT. W.S. MACKENZIE, A.P.D.); British War Medal (MAJOR W.S. MACKENZIE.); Victory Medal with M.I.D. oak leaf (MAJOR W.S. MACKENZIE.); Jubilee 1935 - unnamed as issued.
William Shand Mackenzie was born in Comrie, Perthshire, on 5 September 1876, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders on 29 July 1896. He transferred to the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Gloucestershire Regiment on 3 June 1899, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, being captured and taken Prisoner of War at Farquhar’s Farm on 30 October 1899.
"To the battalion the 30th October was a disastrous day. It will be remembered that five and a half companies of the Gloucesters with six companies of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers were sent out under Colonel Carleton of the Fusiliers, with Major Adye as staff officer, on the night of the 29th for the purpose of seizing Nicholson's Nek. By the stampeding of the mules that point was never reached, but the hill near which the stampede occurred, Cainguba, was occupied. The reference to the action in Sir George White's despatch does not enter into details, merely stating that the force "strengthened the position somewhat with breastworks, and remained unmolested till daybreak. It was then found that the position was too large for them to adequately occupy, and that only the most pronounced salients could be held".
The Boers surrounded the hill, and after several hours' fighting our men's ammunition began to fail. The advanced parties were driven back, the Boers gained the crest, whence they brought a converging fire "to bear from all sides on our men crowded together in the centre, causing much loss. Eventually it was seen that this position was untenable, and our force hoisted a white flag and surrendered about 12.30 pm."
Released on the capture of Pretoria on 5 June 1900, he was promoted Lieutenant, before being attached to the Army Pay Department in Ceylon on 18 June 1902. He transferred to the Army Pay Department with the rank of Captain and Paymaster on 16 March 1904.
Seconded to the Army Accounts Department as Assistant Account, Second Class, from 1 May 1905 to 1 January 1910, he served during the Great War in Egypt from 1 April 1915, and was promoted temporary Major and Staff Paymaster on the same date. Twice Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Egypt, he was promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 3 June 1919, and was confirmed in that rank on 1 April 1920. He was promoted Colonel and Chief Paymaster on 10 April 1925 and appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1934 Birthday Honours’ List, prior to his retirement on 5 September 1936.
According to the 1939 Register he was living in Kandy Gally Hill Road, Fleet, Hampshire and was an Army Officer (Retired). He died in Fleet on 19 December 1944.
His award of the C.B.E. appeared in the London Gazette, 4 June 1934.
His M.I.D. notifications appeared in the London Gazettes of 13 July 1916 and 25 September 1916 (both for Egypt)
Sold with the recipient’s original Commission Document; named Buckingham Palace bestowal document for the Jubilee Medal, with War Office enclosure; named Central Chancery enclosure for the C.B.E.; a summary of the recipient’s service; and copied research.
