New Zealand Warrant Officer Charles Duncan MacKenzie drowned in Princess Royal Harbour 10.12.1916 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery Albany.
MacKenzie's name appears on the CWGC database as being commemorated on a memorial in New Zealand and there is no mention of his burial place.
Today (Thursday) I received an email from CWGC advising that they had been in touch with NZ authorities who have said that his record indicates that he is buried in what they call Old Albany Cemetery WA.
I have forwarded to them the information that I have and the photograph of his grave. I am waiting on receipt of the grave number to send to them.
Bright Blessings
Sandra
______________________________________________________________________
NAME MacKenzie, Charles Duncan
SN
RANK Warrant Officer
UNIT New Zealand Military
HONOUR
BORN
OCCUPATION
RELIGION
NOK
DOE
AGE
RTA
STATUS Died in Australia
DATE 10.12.1916
AGE 34
BURIED Memorial Park Cemetery Albany (2216)
MEMORIAL
NOTES Digitised at NAA
Drowned whilst rembarking Maheno and buried with Military Honours 13.12.1916
His body was not recovered till 12.12.1916
Albany Advertiser Wednesday December 13th 1916
NZ Soldier Drowns
A drowning accident by which Regimental Sergt - Major Cameron Duncan McKenzie lost his life, attended
the visit of the New Zealand hospital ship last week. The deceased, with other non-commissioned officers
spent Sunday evening at the house of Mr H Wiley. Shortly after midnight Mr Wiley left with his guests
intending to take them off to the ship in his own motor launch. The launch left the steps of the west side
of the deep-water jetty and proceeded along under the lee of the new arm. On rounding the extremity a
moderate swell struck dead against the launch. There was no cause for alarm. However, until the little
craft proceeded some 20 yards from the jetty, and then it was found that the water was coming over the
stern. The boat being too heavily weighted an attempt was made to correct the position by the men
moving further forward in the well of the boat. But the step was taken too late as three rollers following in
quick succession filled the well and washed out all the occupants. Mr Wiley asked if all could swim and
being answered in the affirmative the men struck out for the jetty. Mr Wiley and three others reached the
jetty and were called upon to assist two of their companions, but when heads were counted on the jetty it
was found that McKenzie was missing. The alarm was given and a search made but without any trace of
the man being discovered. The deceased, who was attached to the permanent staff of the hospital ship,
was 34 years of age, and a native of Edinburgh, Previously to volunteering he was steward to the
Governor of NZ.
Dragging operations were continued in the vicinity of the catastrophe all Sunday and Monday by the local
naval reserve, under Lieut., Mutton, without success. Yesterday morning the operations resumed and
shortly after 9 o'clock, both Lieut., Mutton, with a big hook, and P. O. Smith, with grappling irons, made
fast too, what they thought was the body, but could not lift it. In the meantime Mr T Schumann had
offered his services as a diver to the police and Sgt Kelso made arrangements for a launch and the
necessary gear with Messrs. Armstrong and Waters, who volunteered the use of what appliances were
required. The gear was made available yesterday morning and aided by Messrs. Cowie and J Kelso and
Constables Munro and Juggins, Mr Schumann entered the water at the spot indicated. The body was found
fast in a hole about 50 feet from the end of the new jetty on the south side. The body was recovered
and taken to the morgue. Thanks are due to Lieut. Mutton and his man, Messrs. Armstrong and Waters,
Messrs. Schumann, Kelso and Cowie and Constables Munro and Juggins for their services rendered. The
funeral will take place this afternoon at 4 o'clock, deceased being accorded a military burial. Members of
the Band are requested to parade at the hospital at 3.50 to take part in the funeral. The members of the
naval reserve and cadets will parade at the drill hall at 3 o'clock.
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