Surname:	McKenzie
Forename(s):	Robert Alexander
Rank:	Gunner
Service number:	365170
Regiment:	4th Bn Cameron Highlanders (1347) 100th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery- North Scottish
Date of death:	21 March 1917 Aged 21
Place of death:	Arras
Buried Commemorated	Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras – II.J.12. Kingussie War Memorial

Background

Robert was born on 8 May 1896 at Church View, Spey Street, Kingussie. Son of Alexander McKenzie and Isabella McKenzie (m.s. Douglas). His parents had married at Garmouth in 1888. It is reported that his parents lived at Theodore Cottage at the time of Robert’s death.

In the 1911 Census Robert was aged 14 and employed as a grocers message boy with Mr Murchie. He had three brothers and three sisters.

McKenzie is also sometimes has the spelling is Mackenzie.

War Record

It is believed that Robert served in the 4th Btn Cameron Highlanders. This was a Territorial Battalion to which many of the men from Kingussie enlisted. However, he served in the 100th Siege Bty Royal Garrison Artillery – North Scottish which was formed at Tynemouth Defence.  He was Killed in Action on 21 March 1917, aged 21, at Arras and is buried at Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras.

The gravestone inscription was chosen by the family.

Blessed are

the pure in heart

for they shall see God

He is also remembered on the the Mackenzie family grave in Kingussie Parish Churchyard, the Kingussie and Insh Memorial in Kingussie Parish Church and the Ring of Remembrance, Notre Dame de Lorette