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Athol Everson Cuff McKenzie
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 06/02/1894 |
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Place of birth: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand |
General information
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Profession: Cheese Manufacturer |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Rifleman |
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Service number: 26145 |
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Enlistment date: 29/05/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Units: — New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 07/06/1917 |
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Place of death: Mesen, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 23 |
Memorial
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Messines Ridge (N.Z.) Memorial Panel: 37 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Athol Everson Cuff McKenzie lives and workes at the Dalefield Cheese Factory in Carterton, New Zealand before the War. His brothers Malcolm, Douglas and Kenneth McKenzie serve in the Australian Army. Athol enlists in New Zealand in May 1916.
On June 7th of 1917 Athol’s battalion takes part in the Battle of Messines. The German resistance was fierce, but the New Zealand Rifle Brigade managed to reach its objective on the eastern outskirts of Mesen. While consolidating their positions, the Germans counterattacked with artillery, causing several casualties.
Athol is only 23 years old when he is killed. He is buried south-east of Mesen, at Bethleem Farm. When his brother Malcolm is in the area in February 1918, he erects a memorial cross. The cross was found after the war but Athol's body was never identified. Athol McKenzie is commemorated on Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, panel 37.
Athol’s brothers survive the War. The museum holds an original map and an aerial photograph of Malcolm, on which the locations of the grave and cross are noted.
On June 7th of 1917 Athol’s battalion takes part in the Battle of Messines. The German resistance was fierce, but the New Zealand Rifle Brigade managed to reach its objective on the eastern outskirts of Mesen. While consolidating their positions, the Germans counterattacked with artillery, causing several casualties.
Athol is only 23 years old when he is killed. He is buried south-east of Mesen, at Bethleem Farm. When his brother Malcolm is in the area in February 1918, he erects a memorial cross. The cross was found after the war but Athol's body was never identified. Athol McKenzie is commemorated on Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, panel 37.
Athol’s brothers survive the War. The museum holds an original map and an aerial photograph of Malcolm, on which the locations of the grave and cross are noted.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Malcolm Heywood Cuff McKenzie
Brother |
Sources 5
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Auckland Weekly News, 6.09.1917, p. 41. Sources used |
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Austin, W.S. The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (The Earl of Liverpool's Own). East-Sussex: The Naval & Military Press Ltd., 2007. 193-209. Sources used |
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Cundall, Frank. Jamaica's part in the Great War 1914-1918 (London: West India Committee, 1925), 144. Sources used |
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Mangaweka Notes, Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, XLI, nr. 11283, 28.06.1917. Sources used |
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Photo of the McKenzie brothers (Discovering Anzacs). https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/gallery/159620 Sources used |
More information 5
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=169397 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1738068 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C9750 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7178950 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=0bcb0584-7171-4a6c-ac34-8b43dbce5238 |