First World War Victory Medal – Private Murdoch McKenzie, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
Victory Medal – 7777 PTE. M. MC KENZIE. CAM'N HIGHRS.
Replacement ring on the medal
Murdoch McKenzie was born on 9 April 1883 at Badenscallie, Achiltibuie, the son of Hector McKenzie, a fisherman, and Sarah McKenzie (née McLeod). Tragically, his mother died during his birth, meaning Murdoch never knew her. Following his father’s death in July 1898, Murdoch was raised within an extended family network in the Achiltibuie and Badenscallie area. Census evidence shows that by 1901 he was living at Invernauld, Rosehall, Sutherland, working as a farmer’s servant, with his birthplace recorded as Coigach. Later records give his residence as Tanera, Coigach, Inverness-shire.
He enlisted into the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders at Inverness on 17 January 1907, aged 18, embarking on a long period of pre-war regular service. At the outbreak of the Great War he was serving with the 1st Battalion, and following mobilisation was initially stationed in Edinburgh before proceeding overseas. McKenzie arrived in France on 5 September 1914, joining the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, placing him among the early British Expeditionary Force — the so-called Old Contemptibles.
Within weeks of arrival, he was heavily engaged during the First Battle of Ypres, taking part in the defence of Gheluvelt at the end of October 1914. Casualty records confirm that he was wounded on 28 October 1914 and admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, being officially listed as “Sick & Wounded.” He was later entitled to wear a Wound Stripe, and subsequent sources indicate that he was injured on three separate occasions during his service — testimony to the severity of the fighting endured by the battalion during 1914–15.
Despite these wounds, McKenzie returned to duty and remained with the battalion through the following year. In October 1915, the 1st Camerons were committed to renewed operations in the Loos sector, north of Hulluch. War Diary entries for the period detail the battalion moving into the front line on 7 October, extensive preparation for an assault, and continuous exposure to artillery and machine-gun fire. On 13 October 1915, the battalion took part in an attack west of Hulluch, supported by bombardment and gas, suffering extremely heavy casualties. The Camerons briefly found a gap in the German line but were unable to exploit the success before being counter-attacked, losing 364 casualties, reducing the battalion to just 4 officers and around 200 men.
Private Murdoch McKenzie was killed in action on 13 October 1915, aged 32, during this assault. He has no known grave and is therefore commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Panels 119 to 124. Records note that another Cameron Highlander, Private Murdo Mackenzie (7123), died in the same action only days earlier, contributing to later confusion in memorial listings.
Murdoch McKenzie is included in local Coigach records due to his family’s residence in the area, despite not appearing on all village memorials. It is also recorded that one of his brothers served in the Royal Navy.
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