The Raid on Zeebrugge - 23rd April 1918

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Albert's three medals from WW1

ALBERT McKENZIE VC

This website tells the story of Able Seaman Albert Edward McKenzie of HMS Vindictive, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the British and Commonwealth armed forces, following the Royal Navy's famous Raid on Zeebrugge in 1918.

He was chosen by his shipmates to be awarded the VC and it was presented to him by King George V at Buckingham Palace during the Summer of 1918.

He had almost fully recovered from his wounds when he caught 'flu in the epidemic which swept across Europe at the end of the Great War. He died at Chatham Naval Hospital in October 1918 aged nineteen.

This website is published by and is the copyright of Colin McKenzie, Albert's great-nephew. Please e-mail me with your Comments on and contributions - these are very welcome and will always be acknowledged.

AWARDING THE VICTORIA CROSS BY BALLOT

Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross warrant states that;

'in the event of a gallant and daring act having been performed by a body of seamen not under fifty in number, in which the officer commanding such forces may deem that all are equally brave and distinguished, and that no special selection can be made by them, then is such case the admiral may direct that two seamen shall be selected by the seamen engaged for the Decoration, and the names of those selected shall be transmitted by the senior officers in command of the Naval force to the admiral who shall in due manner confer the Decoration as if the acts were done under his own eye.'

Albert McKenzie wearing his VC, and the medal in its original case. Albert's great- nephew Don McKenzie of the USA has lent the medal to the Imperial War Museum in London

The Port of Zeebrugge ...