Personal info
- Name: James MACKENZIE
- D.O.B: 2nd Apr, 1884
- D.O.A: 19th Dec, 1914
- D.O.D: 19th Dec, 1914
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, 20th Brigade, 7th Division
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Rouges Bancs, France 19 and 21 December 1914
19 and 21 December 1914
The First World War 1914
The British 7th Division occupied positions between Neuve Chapelle and Armentières. For three weeks in December 1914 the division made repeated attacks on the German trenches. On 19 December 1914 an assault by the 20th Infantry Brigade at Rouges Bancs, three miles north-east of Neuve Chapelle, ran into difficulty and 2nd Battalion Scots Guards found itself in an untenable position. It was for his gallantry during this action in rescuing and attempting to rescue wounded men that Private J Mackenzie, Scots Guards, was awarded a posthumous VC. On 21 December 1914 Privates A Acton and J Smith of 2nd Battalion The Border Regiment rescued a man mortally wounded in the same action from in front of the German trenches. They later rescued another man.
Citation
For conspicuous bravery at Rouges Bancs on the 19th December, in rescuing a severely wounded man from in front of the German trenches, under a very heavy fire and after a stretcher-bearer party had been compelled to abandon the attempt. Private Mackenzie was subsequently killed on that day whilst in the performance of a similar act of gallant conduct.