THE Victoria Cross awarded to a London seaman for his heroism in the first world war has returned to British soil after many years abroad and no-one is more overjoyed than his great nephew Alex McKenzie from Follygate, writes Alison Stephenson.
The Victoria Cross, one of five awarded to those taking part in the Zeebrugge raid in 1918, now hangs in the Imperial War Museum in London but a replica medal and copy of the citation takes pride of place in the home of Mr McKenzie.
Great Uncle Albert McKenzie died of septic pneumonia three months after receiving the Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace — he was just 19-years-old. His medal was later handed over to the British Naval Attache in Washington by a different branch of the family, for eventual return to Britain.
Despite enquiries to the Imperial War Museum in 1992 the whereabouts of the medal were unknown —that was until March this year when Mr McKenzie was informed it was on its way back home.
The Follygate resident said: 'It is wonderful to have it back in this country — I could not think of a better place for it than the Imperial War Museum.'
An emphysema sufferer Mr McKenzie is housebound and was unable to go to London to see his great uncle's Victoria Cross but his neighbour Ken Williams stepped in to help.
Mr Williams said: 'Co-incidentally the same day the McKenzies told me 'Uncle Albert's medal is coming home' I had been reading about it in the 'Medal News',' he said.
'I have known Alex for 30 years and he has told me many things about his family and the war. Over the last six months I feel I have got to know 'Uncle Albert'.
Mr Williams visited the Imperial War Museum and Albert McKenzie's grave at Camberwell Cemetery and had a replica medal made for his neighbour and a copy of the citation.
'I am interested in local history but the military has never held an interest for me before — now I am hooked,' he said. 'It's a lovely story and it has been a great pleasure to help out a friend in this way.'
Mr Williams said the Imperial War Museum, itself, shared the enthusiasm and satisfaction of the McKenzies as Albert was a local hero and the first London seaman from the lower decks to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
'The courage and self-sacrifice of men like Albert McKenzie and his comrades have enormous, incalculable effects for good on individuals and society long after the events which inspired their heroism,' he said.