Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Allister McKenzie who was born on 3 November 1889 at Hakataramea, was the fifth son of Donald and Margaret (Maggie, née McDonald) McKenzie. Donald and Margaret who had married in 1880, had six sons and one daughter They farmed at Hakataramea, where Donald died in January 1907 and was buried in the local cemetery. In 1911 Allister was a student at home at “Table Top”, Hakataramea, and also in 1914. When the Waimate Defence Rifle Club commenced its 1915 shooting season on 11 November, A Mackenzie and G. S. Mackenzie were the prize-winners in A class. Both represented the Waimate Club in the 1916 New Year’s Day match with Glenavy.

Allister Mackenzie was medically examined on 1 December 1915 at Timaru. When he enlisted – as Allister Mackenzie - on 12 January 1916 at Tauherinikau, he was an auctioneer, and his address was Waimate. He had left Waimate that day, a squad of fourteen men marching to the railway station, where they were addressed by the deputy-Mayor — Once more we have met to say farewell to another lot of brave lads, from our town and country who are going to fight on the side of liberty and justice. . . . . We are all confident that when the time comes you will do your duty and do it nobly. We all hope that you will return safely to us, covered with honour and glory, and when you do so a warm welcome will be awaiting you. On behalf of our town and country I wish you God-speed and a safe return. The Rev Morrison also spoke on behalf of the Ministers’ Association - May God bear you up! After cheers were given for “the boys”, Mr Allister Mackenzie responded - I wish on behalf of the men here to thank you. Although we are going a little late, I think we will be able to hold our own and do as others have done. When the train moved off further cheering took place. Single and Presbyterian, McKenzie named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs D. Mackenzie, Hakataramea, South Canterbury.

On 13 April 1916, the Waimate Rifle Club tendered a social to Trooper Allister Mackenzie who was in Waimate on final leave. Toasts were proposed and song sung, including “The Camp” by Trooper A. Mackenzie. Mr G. S. Mackenzie also gave a song “The Way the Wind Blows”. The function closed with “Auld Lang Syne”. Private A. McKenzie embarked with the 1st New Zealand Cyclist Company, departing on 6 May 1916 per the “Mokoia” and disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 22 June. ‘DUNSTERFORCE. NEW ZEALANDER’S ADVENTURES. WITH “STALKY” IN PERSIA. One of those phases of the great war which may be classed as a mystery type was the expedition to Persia under the command of Major-General L. C. Dunsterville, C.B., the original of “Stalky” in Rudyard Kipling’s famous story. A member of that expedition, Sergeant McKenzie, of the New Zealand army, recently arrived in Sydney, and threw a little light upon the doings of this force, which for obvious reasons — like the mystery ships of the Navy — received little limelight until the reasons for secrecy were non-existent. A DESPERATE ADVENTURE. Sergeant McKenzie, chatting to an Evening Post reporter, said that the New Zealand quota was representative of the Dominion battalions, and they volunteered as the result of an invitation from the War Office to take part in a desperate adventure from which they would most probably not emerge with their lives. The expedition, which was made up of Australians, New Zealanders, British, Canadian, and South African officers and sergeants, left England in 1918, and went to “Mesopot” — as Mesopotamia is invariably styled by soldiers. The object was to block the Germans from reaching India through Persia, and special equipment became necessary. The force was instructed in machine-gun work and sword exercise, and took to learning Russian and Persian. Having reached Bagdad by way of the Tigris, the expedition was transported by rail to Ruz, thence to Kavishrim by motors. This was the easiest portion of the journey, for the next was a march of 600 miles in most difficult country. The hills had to be picketed at night to keep off hostile attacks by hostile tribesmen. Having reach Kasbin via Karmanshal and Hamadan, in Persia, it was found that the road leading to Resht was held by tribesmen, who were really German mercenaries, but they were knocked out by a force of Ghurkas sent from Mesopotamia. By this time the British force had been reinforced by Cossacks, who were good fighters, but the possibility of raising an army became out of the question, as Russia was non-existent as a fighting unit of the Allies. A SOLDIER’S JOB. Sergeant McKenzie was modestly silent as to his own part in the expedition. He summed it up as “one of the jobs that comes a soldier’s way.” The expedition, he said, was considerably hampered by the rush of refugees, who poured in as soon the roads were opened. Part of the expedition which was pushing on from Bijar, in Persia, had to fall back in face of attacks by hostile tribes. There were valuable stores to care for, and cavalry was detailed to protect them. In spite of all difficulties the force attained its object, securing a line over 1000 miles in length, and the roads and passes which blocked the way to India. Major-General Dunsterville, C.B., in his order of the day, dated “Bagdad, October 1, 1918,” bidding farewell to the force, with a quaint conceit called Dunsterforce, said: - “I am prouder of my command and the gallant officers and non-commissioned officers of Dunsterforce than of any other command I have ever held or am likely to hold. The original destination of the force was Southern Caucasus, but owing to various causes that destination was never reached. The force remained in Persia until August, 1918, when a portion reached Baku, and took part in the operations there, which came to an end with the evacuation on September 14, 1918. “The work carried out varied from valuable administrative tasks to daring achievements in the battlefields. Officers and N.C.O.’s have been called upon to superintend famine relief work, to assist in raid construction, to police towns, to drill and instruct levies and Armenian troops, and to lend a ready hand in many tasks that were not in themselves congenial. The effect of the demeanour and behaviour of this force has been such as to enhance the reputation of the British race in the eyes of all with whom they had dealings.”’ [Auckland Star. 16 May 1918. Wanganui Herald. 27 May 1919.] Dunsterforce was an Allied military force which carried out special operations in the Southern Caucasus and Northern Iran. At least 32 New Zealand soldiers served in Dunsterforce, most sailing directly from the Western Front on 29 January 1918. The men “were chosen for special ability, and all were men who had already distinguished themselves in the field.” [General Dunsterville.] From April 1916, A. McKenzie appeared on Waimate’s Roll of Honour published by the Waimate Daily Advertiser.

Allister McKenzie returned to New Zealand per the “Port Sydney”, arriving on 7 May 1919, after 3 years and 2 days serving overseas. He was discharged on 4 June 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His intended address was Hakataramea, South Canterbury, and in 1919 he was back at “Table Top”, Hakataramea, with family. He married Muriel Sarah Smith in 1920. Thereafter, Allister and Muriel were at Washdyke, Hakataramea, Timaru and Reparoa, before settling at Lincoln in the 1950s. Allister McKenzie – formerly of Lincoln, Timaru and Hakataramea – died at his Christchurch residence on 16 June 1976, aged 86 years. He was buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch, with Muriel who had died at Christchurch on 8 October 1961. He was survived by their only son, Alister Douglas McKenzie (known as A. D. or Doug), two brothers and his only sister. When Doug died on 15 September 1987, his ashes were interred with his parents. Donald Roderick McKenzie, the second son of Donald and Margaret, died of measles and pneumonia on 21 September 1916, at Trentham Hospital, after just a month in camp. He was buried at Hakataramea alongside his father. Mrs Margaret McKenzie died in September 1934; she, too, was buried there. George Simon McKenzie, the fourth son, also served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One. John Kenneth McKenzie, sheep farmer, Hakataramea, was drawn in the tenth ballot in July 1917. He was the eldest of the Mckenzie family. The only daughter, Grace Elizabeth McKenzie, who was the youngest of the family, outlived all her brothers, dying at Timaru in 1983.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [05 March 2025]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [04 March 2025]; Waimate Daily Advertiser, 12 November 1915, 29 December 1915, 8 & 12 January 1916, 14 & 19 April 1916, 24 April 1917, NZ Times, 8 May 1919, Auckland Star. 16 May 1918, Wanganui Herald. 27 May 1919 [courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum contribution], Press, 9 October 1961, 17 & 18 June 1976, 17 & 18 September 1987 (Papers Past) [05 March 2025]; Ruru Lawn Cemetery record (Christchurch City Council) [03 March 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

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Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

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