Capt. William J. MacKenzie

[Kurse]

Hello All:

I recently purchase this photo of Capt. William J. MacKenzie.
It came with a piece of spark plug wire that was damaged in a dogfight he was involved in while with 209 squadron.

He was an American 8 victory ace but actually flew for the Canadians.

He was with Roy Browns flight on April 21st, 1918 and was injured in the fight with MvR's squadron that day.

Does anyone have any other photos of him or his aircraft?

His life after the war is a little cloudy.
He lived in NYC but disappeared around 1942 and no further record of him has been found.

If anyone has any additional pictures or information they could share it would be much appreciated.

[john_g]

There is a William John Mackenzie in AIR76 at The national Archives cost £3.36.

John-g

[Airshipped]

If he was RNAS in 9 (Naval) Squadron before it became RAF's 209 Squadron then the following ADM file may also relate to him:

Page 226: William John MacKenzie. | The National Archives

[rexee]

Hi Kurse
I found this additional info
"Although born in Memphis, Tennessee, Mackenzie was raised in Port Robinson, Ontario.After the war he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1925 with a degree in civil engineering. He never married and died in New York City in September 1959"
Rex

[Graeme]

Information courtesy of Hugh Halliday:

Born 9 January 1894;
home in Port Robinson, Ontario (draughtsman);
appointed Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant, RNAS, Ottawa, 19 April 1917; to Manston, 21 May 1917;
to Cranwell, 4 August 1917;
to Manston, 20 September 1917;
to Dunkirk, 30 November 1917;
with Dunkirk Seaplane Defence Squadron (later No 213 Squadron) 1 December 1917 to 1 March 1918;
with No 209 Squadron, 1 or 14 March to 1 September 1918; (wounded 21 April 1918);
to No 213 Squadron, 8 October 1918 to March 1919;
to unemployed list, 20 May 1919.

Awarded the DFC, no citation published other than "in recognition of distinguished services rendered during the war."

Public Record Office Air 1/10715/9/287 has recommendation dated 29 January 1919 from No 213 Squadron; had flown 150 hours in previous year, 250 operational hours in total:

Captain W. J. Mackenzie joined this squadron on 1st December 1917 and was employed in the Belgian Coast Patrol, where he distinguished himself by keen powers of observation and great enthusiasm for his work.

At the end of March 1918 he was transferred to a squadron operating further south and personally succeeded in destroying one Fokker triplane, one Fokker biplane, one Phalz (sic) and one LVG two-seater (all confirmed) and also assisted in bringing down one LVF (sic) two-seater.

He was wounded in the fight when Richtofen (sic) was killed, and was given charge of a Flight.

He returned to this squadron in October 1918 for the last push and displayed great gallantry and leadership in the many low bombing raids against enemy troops, etc. which were undertaken in conjunction with the advancing Belgian Army.

During this period he shot down and destroyed one Fokker biplane and shot down out of control a second, while he assisted in the destruction of one LVG two-seater.

Altogether Captain MacKenzie has flown over the lines for upwards of 250 hours and is still one of the keenest pilots in the service.

He also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre: awarded as per London Gazette dated 15 July 1919, previously listed in Belgian Army Daily Orders of 21 May 1919 (Public Record Office Air 1/1839/204/208/20), for services in No.213 Squadron. No citation other than "for valuable services rendered in connection with the war".

Graeme

[Kurse]

Rexee:

Thanks for the info.
Everything I had found on him up to this point was very vague.
Thanks for a clearer history of his life after the war.

I really like the picture I obtained.
I'm wondering if this was the Camel he flew on April 21st in the MvR dogfight.

Thanks to all of you for the additional information.

Much appreciated!