Private David McKenzie

David McKenzie was the son of Kenneth and Annie McKenzie, of Dundee. He originally enlisted with the 4/5th Battalion, The Black Watch (TA) prior to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

After posting to 5th (County of Angus) Battalion, Black Watch he missed the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) deployment to France because he was still under 19 years old. Instead he was posted to 57th Searchlight Regiment in Glasgow. Initially this Regiment was under the auspices of The Cameronians, but would later come under the control of The Royal Artillery.

David's next move was made in July 1942, when he became a Trooper with 1st Air Landing Reconnaissance Squadron (note Recce Corps cap badge on picture).

In October 1943, David reported to the Parachute Training Depot at Claycross in Derbyshire, and was subsequently posted to the 10th Battalion of The Parachute Regiment, in December that year. After months of training and preparation for the next 1st Airborne operation, Pte McKenzie took part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op Market Garden. David was first reported Missing In Action, before he was later confirmed Killed In Action.

Pte McKenzie died on 20 September 1944, although he has no known grave and is remembered on Panel 9 of the Groesbeek Memorial in Holland.

His father Kenneth McKenzie, a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, was also Killed in Action during the War whilst in London, on 17 January, 1943.