Born at East Malvern, Victoria, Presbyterian. Enlisted 19 January 1916 age 23, salesman. Nok father, George H. McKenzie John St, Cottesloe. Embarked at Fremantle 29 December 1916 per A34 Persic. Served in France 1917-1918 and suffered a shrapnel wound to the thigh on 17 October 1917. RTA September 1919 per A35 Berrima. Service medals and award: Military Cross, BWM and VM. Citation for his Military Cross: ‘On 29th September 1918 during operations south of Beny, he was in command of a platoon and after his senior officers had early become casualties he took command of the company and successfully led it into the Hindenburg Line. On many occasions he took a leading part in repulsing enemy bombing attacks, and led bombing parties, resulting in the capture of about 800 yards of the Hindenburg Line. He showed great gallantry and dash.’ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 75 dated 17 June 1919. London Gazette 2nd supplement No. 31219 dated 8 March 1919.