MacKenzie, Robert 2228 ( - 1915)

Private, 6th Bn. Highland Light Infantry

Buried at Helles Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Robert C. Mackenzie, son of Captain Mackenzie, A.S.C., and Mrs. Mackenzie, formerly 28 Lansdowne Crescent, and now Lamont House, Macduff, was a quiet, reserved, studious, and sensitive youth when at School, and took but little interest in the games of the playing field and playground. Notwithstanding his mask of reserve, he made a strong impression on all his teachers, who recognised his real strength of character and tenacity of purpose. This war has brought many surprises, but perhaps none more striking than the seeming transformation of some natures, making of modest, retiring, diffident men confident, forceful, and valiant soldiers. It may be that, as in Robert Mackenzie's case, the steel was there all the time, but sheathed, or it may be that a strong sense of duty can rise superior to natural inclinations, tastes, and habits, and can temper and edge the most refractory metal.

Whichever way it be, certain it is that Robert Mackenzie gave ample proof of "the mettle of his pasture". At the beginning of the war, though still under seventeen years of age, he enlisted in the ranks, choosing as his regiment the 6th H.L.I., because of its connection with his old School.

After eight months' training in this country he was sent to Egypt and then to Gallipoli. Here, like so many more of his Schoolfellows, he fell in his first fight on the slopes of Achi Baba on 12th July, 1915. The School, with mingled pride and sorrow, pays homage to her young
hero.