Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

William McKenzie was born in July 1895 at Bridgend, Glamorgan to parents Duncan and Minnie (nee Lloyd) McKenzie and was one of three children.

On the 1901 Census the family were living at 21 Oddfellows Road, Bridgend and his father was a blacksmith. By 1911, the family have moved to 21 Clifton Terrace, Bridgend and all are listed as Welsh speaking.

On 11 May 1914, just prior to his 19th birthday, William McKenzie signed on for four years’ service with the Territorial Force. He enlisted on 5 August 1914, and was posted to the 7th Welsh Cyclist Company on 5 January 1916. His poem in the visitors’ book on 18 July 1916, mentions guard duty at ‘Saltburn by the Sea’ and his discharge form indicates that he was stationed at Wells, Norfolk.

“When we left our homes in Wales
Came to Saltburn by the Sea
Our little picks and shovels we put down
For we guard the Shores by night and we do it with delight
Just to stop the Germans landing in the town.”

After just 2 years 10 months service in the UK, on 30 November 1916 he was discharged on medical grounds, due to deafness. William had suffered with deafness prior to enlistment, and on discharge he was described as hopelessly deaf beyond repair, not caused as a result of military service. He received a pension aged 21 and was awarded the Silver War Badge, but had not served overseas.

Please get in touch if you can us more about William.