Description
Distinguished Service Order, VR issue, silver gilt complete with suspension, brooch bar with pin and silk ribbon, engraved on the edge of the arms to Captain Ian Russell Mackenzie DSO, Scottish Horse, later served in WW1 in German East Africa and died of wounds in Central Africa during 1917.
Engraved on the edge of the 3 arms at 3, 6, 9 o’clock: “CAPT IAN MACKENZIE”
No apparent flaking or chips to white enamel.
With comprehensive research file including WW1 service papers, photo of his gravestone and numerous entries.
Boer War services:
Saw service from 31st December 1900 until 7th July 1902 when he resigned from the Scottish Horse.
Promoted to Capt 20th April 1901
Severely wounded in action at Gruisfontein on 5th February 1902 as Captain of 1st Battalion Scottish Horse.
Mentioned in Despatches 8th October 1901: Captains PN Field and Ian R Mackenzie and Lieut W Jardine, all 1st Bn, for work done by them in clearing kloofs in Megaliesberg in September.
Mentioned in Despatches again on 3rd December 1901.
DSO award announced in London Gazette, 26th June 1902.
Aberdeen Press and Journal 13th November 1917:
DEATH OF GALLANT OFFICER
The death of Lieut Ian Russell Mackenzie, D.S.O., from accidental injuries, is announced in a casualty list from Central Africa.
Deceased began his military career in the Natal Carabineers, and saw much service in the famous Colonial Corps in the Boer War.
An energetic and tireless officer, Mackenzie had attained by the end of the war the rank of Captain, and had received the D.S.O.
He volunteered on the outbreak of the Rebellion, and subsequently engaged for German East Africa, whence he was invalided with fever after a year’s service.
Some few months after he re-enlisted and was sent to Central Africa.
The deceased officer was born in Aberdeen, the son of the late Mr John Russell Mackenzie, a well known architect in the city.
The latter brought his family to Johannesburg in the very early days, and of his 5 sons was has claimed 3.
The youngest and surviving son, Lieut Kenneth Mackenzie, has seen active service from the outbreak of the present war in German West Africa, Egypt and Flanders where he was recently wounded.”
At the time of his death he was a Lieutenant in D Company, 2nd Cape Corps in Central Africa.
His papers note that he was found to be Dangerously Wounded on 13th September 1917 and died of wounds the same day which was said to be “Self inflicted but unintentional”
During the Boer War he had been twice mentioned in despatches and was awarded this D.S.O. in the London Gazette on 26th June 1902:
“Ian Russell Mackenzie, Captain, Scottish Horse. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.”
After the war he also saw service in Northern Nigeria in 1906 (possibly earning an Africa General Service Medal)
Announcement of his Wound in 1902 at home in Scotland, Dundee Evening Telegraph 11th February 1902:
“CAPTAIN IAN RUSSELL MACKENZIE
Captain Ian Russell Mackenzie of the Scottish Horse, reported severely wounded, is a son of the late Mr John Russell Mackenzie, architect of Aberdeen and Johannesburg. He was mentioned in a despatch from Lord Kitchener, published in the beginning of December, for meritorious services in clearing the kloofs of Magaliesberg. A younger brother of Captain Mackenzie is also in the Scottish horse, being on the staff of Lord Tullibardine.”
