AN EXCELLENT "OLD CONTEMPTIBLE"(Battle of Langemarck)MILITARY CROSS 1914 Star & Bar Trio with Pre-War L.S.G.C.
To:
15725. CSM-BSMjr-Major. F. Mc Kenzie,
111 & 129 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery.
(Won his Military Cross near Pilkelm Ridge)

[BIOGRAPHY]
Frank Mc Kenzie was born in 1878 and by logical deduction he joined the army in 1894 as a boy soldier at age 16. He had thus served 20 years with the colours by October 1914 when he was presented with his L.S.G.C. At the outbreak of The Great War he was serving as a CSM with 111th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He entered France on 4th October 1914 and secured an early commission as 2nd Lt on 24th April 1915. Frank rose through the commissioned ranks reaching to the position of Major on 20th March 1918. He resided in West London at 40 Leybourne Park, Kew Gardens in South West London ( a stones throw from the famous Kew Botanical Gardens ) with a later move to 126 High Street, Hounslow. Both addresses are still extant.

[MILITARY CROSS CITATION]
London Gazette 9th January 1918.








Lt (T./Capt) Frank Mc Kenzie,
129th Heavy Battery R.G.A.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of wagons which were bringing up ammunition to his battery position. By sheer coolness and determination he led his wagons to their destination without loss, under heavy shell fire and amidst exploding ammunition dumps. He has on many occasions shown supreme contempt for danger, and had set a splendid example to his battery."







A lovely sleepy old group, with MIC & various papers. Swing mounted and just as worn by the recipient on original ribbons. Totally uncleaned for many years the group has developed a superb graphite black patina. A highly attractive and ever more scarce "Old Contemptible's" gallantry group to a proud soldier who survived the entire war and retired in 1920.

£2250 with part-exchanges welcome.