More about Ian Mackenzie

Ian MacKenzie was the son of Mr Peter MacKenzie of 4 Ramsay Place, Broughty Ferry and brother of Bella J Mackenzie, 4 Ramsay Place, Broughty Ferry. He volunteered to join the Royal Marine Light Infantry in February 1916 and gave his occupation as a Clerk. He trained, initially, at the Recruit Depot at Deal in Kent and was then drafted to the Naval Barracks in Portsmouth for service in the Royal Marine Brigade. It is likely that he was drafted to the Second Marine Battalion serving on the Western Front and arrived there on 22 November 1916 when the Battalion was reforming after the final days of the Battle of the Somme. Ian MacKenzie was killed in action during the 28-29 April 1917 Battle of Arleux, the Third phase of Arras Offensive. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. The Royal Marines suffered their greatest number of casualties ever in a single action during their part in the Arras Offensive. Ian was a former pupil of Grove Academy, Broughty Ferry and is remembered on the schools war memorial.