Maxwelltown War Memorial, Dumfries on Friday 19 December 2014
Commencing at 10.45am
A commemorative paving stone will be unveiled and a wreath laying ceremony held at Maxwelltown War Memorial, Dumfries at 10.45am on Friday 19 December in memory of Private James Mackenzie VC. Private Mackenzie was the first person from Dumfries and Galloway to receive the Victoria Cross during World War One.
The sandstone in the plinth on which the paving stone has been laid, was kindly donated by Marshall Stancliffe Stone from Locharbriggs Quarry, Dumfries.
This will be followed by a service of commemoration at Troqueer Parish Church at 12.15pm. In attendance will be relatives of Private Mackenzie, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire, Members of the Scots Guards Association, Representatives of the British Legion and Elected Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Private James Mackenzie, who went to school in Dumfries, enlisted in the Scots Guards in February 1912. He was sent to France on 5th October 1914 as a private in the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards. On 19 December 1914, while serving with the 2nd Scots Guards, Private James Mackenzie rescued a severely wounded man from in front of the German trenches at a place called Rouges Banc, after a stretcher party had been forced to abandon their attempt while under very heavy fire. Later the same day, James was shot dead by an enemy sniper while attempting a similar act.
Private James Mackenzie was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry. His Victoria Cross, the first won by the Scots Guards since the Crimean War was gifted to the Regiment and is kept in their museum. He is commemorated on the Maxwelltown War Memorial, by a stone plaque in Troqueer Parish Church, and on the Ploegsteert memorial, near Ypres, in Flanders, Belgium.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Armed Forces Champion for Dumfries and Galloway Council said;
“As an ex-serviceman myself, it has been a privilege and an honour to have the opportunity to be involved with the planning of the events which are arranged to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Private James Mackenzie being awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant act of bravery during World War One”.
Councillor Ted Thompson, Chair of Nithsdale Area Committee and Provost of Dumfries said,;
“I’m very pleased that 100 years after his act of outstanding selfless courage we will commemorate and honour Private James Mackenzie. His heroic action to rescue a comrade resulted in the ultimate sacrifice, the loss of his own life. We should be truly proud of this local VC recipient.”
Pictures copyright R.B Photography
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