William McKenzie
Chaplain William ‘Fighting ‘Mac’ McKenzie (1869–1947) was a man of principle and courage.
Prison sentences
He was one of many Salvationists who gained prison sentences for conducting street marches: in McKenzie's case, a week of incarceration in Charters Towers, Queensland, with his comrade, Lieutenant Morrison.
A pioneering chaplain
McKenzie, who served in various appointments, including a stint on the War Cry magazine staff, is better known as a pioneering chaplain to the 4th Battalion of the Australian Infantry in the First World War.
He later gained the high rank of commissioner in The Salvation Army, serving as a territorial commander for the Australia Southern Territory. ‘Fighting Mac’, as he was known to the troops, was awarded the Military Cross for his personal bravery and spirit of sacrificial service.
Chaplain McKenzie made Christ real to thousands of men...
Up and down the fire-swept ridges he followed them, carrying food and water; tramping miles for their mail; by night cutting steps over treacherous patches which the boys must travel in the morning; praying with them; helping them to live; supporting them as they died. Burying literally hundreds of brave lads fallen in battle, he spent far into the night in his dim dugout, writing to their relatives.
Mrs General Minnie Carpenter