Percy Maxton McKenzie (1886 - 1965)

Born 1886 in Masterton, Wairarapa, Wellington, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Eva Marion (Robertson) McKenzie — married 5 Jan 1916 in Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand

Died 1965 at about age 79 in South Canterbury, New Zealand

Biography

Percy Maxton McKenzie was born in 1886. He was the eldest son of William McKenzie and his first wife, Mary Maxton. ^[1]

He was educated at Carterton Boys’ School then at a private school. By 1911 Percy was living at Allandale, near Fairlie. He gave a Timaru address when he enlisted on the outbreak of war. He joined as a trooper with the South Canterbury Contingent of the Mounted Brigade. On 12 August 1915 he was promoted to corporal. He returned home late in 1915 after serving at Gallipoli and later contracting fever.

Mr W. McKenzie, formerly of Carterton, now of Palmerston North, has received word that his son, Corporal Percy Maxton McKenzie, is amongst the wounded, and is returning by the Willochra, due at Port Chalmers at the end of the month. Corporal McKenzie was in charge of a party of bomb-throwers when last heard from at the front.^[2]

THE PALMERSTON MEN. Trooper Percy McKenzie. son of Mr and Mrs W. McKenzie, of Park Avenue, went to Egypt with the main body as a member of the mounted brigade, and was a unit of the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. The mounted men, said trooper McKenzie, put in no less than five months' training in Egypt, prevented from going to the front earlier owing to it being impossible to use mounted troops on the peninsula. In May, however, the mounteds were called upon to do infantry work and left at once for Gallipoli, leaving their horses behind in Egypt. The men landed on May 12 and took their turn in the trenches in relieving the infantry. Trooper McKenzie says the mounted men were right through the big engagement at Anzac, which lasted between four and five days, and finished up on 6th August, with a substantial gain of about 12 miles on the Allies' front. In this fight big reinforcements of fresh British troops arrived and took part in this engagement. “The Turks made it very hot,” says Trooper McKenzie, "but they are good clean fighters." Unfortunately, Trooper McKenzie contracted fever on August 17, and was shipped to Egypt to undergo medical treatment. He was there for about four weeks, when be joined the Tofua for New Zealand. The New Zealanders stuck to the fighting very well, Trooper McKenzie relates, and in the Anzac engagement some of the men reached the much-coveted highest point in the Turkish line and held it for 24 hours. The position, however, could not be maintained. The Maoris were also splendid fighters, and the returned trooper says he would go with them anywhere. He was 200 yards along the line from the Maoris when the latter had their first light. They fought with great dash, and when it was over gave a great haka. Trooper McKenzie, who has much improved in health, expects to get back again before very long.^[3]

In 1916, he married Eva Robertson.

A quiet wedding was celebrated at All Saints' Church, Palmerston North, yesterday afternoon, when Corporal Percy Maxton McKenzie, eldest son of Mr W. McKcnzie, of Palmerston North, was married to Miss Eva Marion Robertson, daughter of Mr J. Robertson, of Dunedin. The Rev. Mr Harvie was the officiating minister. Misses Ivy and Gwen McKenzie were bridesmaids, whilst Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Dudson acted as best man.^[4]

WOODBURY

FAREWELL SOCIAL

MR AND MRS P. McKENZIE HONOURED

Mr and Mrs Percy McKenzie and family were entertained by the residents of Woodbury at a social evening in the Woodbury School, in appreciation of their services to the district during their nine years’ residence in Woodbury. There was a large attendance, the evening being spent in dancing, cards, and folk dancing by some bf the young people. Misses Nancy Brown, Ruby Mclntosh, Jean Chisnall and Gwen McKenzie gave a Dutch dance, which was greatly enjoyed. Mrs Brown supplied the dance music, extras being given by Mrs Marks (Christchurch), and Messrs McLeod, Rew and Quaid. Mr Johnson, Peel Forest, was master of ceremonies. Mr J. C. Fifield, chairman of the School Committee, who presided, referred to the valuable services rendered to the district by Mr McKenzie. He had been a hard worker on the School Committee and Dental Clinic, and a valuable member of the Library Committee. Mr McKenzie had also done good work as chairman of the Woodbury Centre of the New Zealand Legion. On behalf of the residents, Mr Fifield asked Mr McKenzie to accept a wallet and roll of notes with best wishes for future happiness. Winsome Chisnall presented Mrs McKenzie with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mr McKenzie thanked the residents for their gift and good wishes, and regretted that he and his family were leaving the district. He had enjoyed working on the different committees, and had always found the team spirit a great help.^[5]

He is memorialised at Salisbury Park. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ NZ BDM 1886/10814 McKenzie Percy Maxton Mary William
2. ↑ Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 14415, 22 October 1915, Page 5
3. ↑ Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10214, 29 October 1915, Page 5
4. ↑ Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10260, 6 January 1916, Page 5
5. ↑ Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19703, 22 January 1934, Page 12
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209666212/percy-maxton-mckenzie: accessed 05 July 2023), memorial page for Percy Maxton McKenzie (1886–13 Jul 1965), Find a Grave Memorial ID 209666212, citing Salisbury Park Crematorium, Timaru, Timaru District, Canterbury, New Zealand; Maintained by Baby Stegosaurus (contributor 49885654).

• https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C49582

• https://museum.timaru.govt.nz/explore/scroll/profile?id=6465