Lieutenant Colonel William McKenzie, MC, OBE - letters - 1914 - Part 1

People's Palace

Sydney

Dearest Munia  Sept 1-7/14  

I am safely landed 

here at Sydney & am informed

that we are not likely to sail

until Tuesday at earliest.

It was intended that we go

today (Sunday) but it has

been postponed for some

reason. However, I have

to hold myself in readiness

to go at short notice.

I had a terrific rush at

Melbourne, seeing the

military authorities, being

examined by a Dr & signing

Documents etc. It was a 

smart bit of work. A taxi

was at our disposal. I 

also got a great send-off at

Spencer St. Cadets Band down

Almost all H.Q. Staff. All

think I'm the best man no

Aust to go for the army.

It is good they think so &

I'll have to try & justify their

expectations.

[There were many enquiries for you

& the children, what you said etc.

I replied; "she's acted & spoke like the Gods

Salvationist she is."]

2

& is thoroughly ready to fulfil

the clause of her marriage 

contract "not to hinder the 

other doing or giving anything

within his power to do or give".

They never saw it in this light

before. So you are teaching

a good lesson & needful too.

I had a 1^st class ticket on sleeper

over to Sydney, was met by

D.C. D.S Brigadier Williams

Slattery Burhof & other Officers

& treated with Distinction.

I saw the Commandant, he

informed me that I would

be going on the "Euripidies"

the largest boat of the whole

fleet - "Euripidies" 15,060 tons

The Dean of Sydney - "Talbot" is

also on this ship, so I have

got a hand now to hold, as

he is senior chaplain. Now

even, he ^& I may get along all

right. I hope so, but I'll have 

a very trying job, but I'll

win out without a fear.

I get my staff on Monday.

[*We will try & have a good useful time.

May God help us.*]

3

As Captain I am entitled to

draw 26/- a day, 7 days a

week. 3/6 a day is deferred

pay & held against my return

& drawn then. I have

signed for Col Palstra

to draw 15/- a day week for

the army funds & I get 7/6

for my upkeep & incidentals

on the job. You will be

paid from it, H.Q. thro' the

Bendigo Office. Thus you

will have no worries there.

The 15/- a day is for your

Salary & Rent & the Bal goes

toward the equipment et's.

I got a cheque of ₤15 & handed

this to H.Q. This was to get

an outfit. I get a further

₤10 for uniforms etc, but I

have to get this in England.

as there is no time to do this 

in Aust, so I travel in 

Army uniform. I am glad

of this. It will mark me out

quite distinct from the others

I am doing meetings at the

Sydney City today.

[*I went out to Rockdale last night &

there I saw Fred Molly & family. They have

a nice a real nice house but its a

pigsty inside as usual.*]

4

I trust you with the children

are O.K. I was sorry that I 

had such a rush at the train

I am sure that you & they will

be all right, & so will I, God will

take care of us all. We will

act & trust like good soldiers 

of Jesus. Work all you can in

the Corps & Home leagues. These

things will keep you cheerful

I will write to the boys tonight

after the night meeting.

Meanwhile, I will again bid

you adieu!

May Heaven bless guard & Keep you

You are safe to write a letter

to me Captn McKenzie

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces

S.S. "Euripidies"

Albany West Aust

We will be there about Oct 6

Adieu yours as ever

Wm McK

Hugs, love & Kisses to all

The Salvation Army.

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,

October 3^rd 1914

My Darling Munia

I have had a week of rush &  tarry 

to get my things ready but had I

known that the date of Departure
 was being postponed, I 

would have waited a bit

longer at home & left on

Tuesday or Wed & then been

in ample time. I dont Know

why it was so suddenly put

back, & but few really Know.

Still it has given me time to

get a lantern & slides & other

needful things as also to get

launched off by the Commr.

He & Mrs Hay were awfully

kind to me, the Commr made

me get new heavy under-

clothing, a new trunk, suit

cases, Kit bag & other odds

& ends. I have also got 

my Uniforms (Military)

heavy overcoat & Cape. I'll

get them to send my photo

to you later. I'm also sending

photos of others I've got taken!

[*Chas came down & spent Tues & Weds

with me. He looks well & is doing well.*]

2
The Salvation Army.

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,

I was with the Commod on tuesday

& at night went out to Newtown

with him where he gave a very fine 

lecture - "The Empire's Salv Ally" It 

was an eloquent hour. The Mayor

presided. Mrs Hay took him out of

winding, as per usual. The Commd

also conducted a Dedicatory

Service for me on Wedy aftn

It was a solemn, dignified

event. You will read there

pouting the Cry. He made another 
fine speech & gave me

a striking charge. Mrs Hay

presented Colours to me &

excelled herself in a very

fine 5 minute charge. I never

heard her more eloquent. It 

stirred my blood. These Colours

were given by the Sydney

City Corps for me to take to

the front & I've to bring

them back at all hazards.

I had a very fine day at the

City on Sunday. I think we

had 4 seekers out at night.

The folks enjoyed it much.

[*I go to several places on Sunday next

Military Camps & then to Newtown at night.*]

3

The Salvation Army.

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,

I also go to Rockdale for a

special meeting on tuesday

night, to give the Hoeppers a stir

up. The Corps is not doing too good.

I am going to leave my trunk

(tins) here at the Palace, also

the Gladstone Bag, with new

cap, new suit (army) & new overcoat, 
they would only get ruined.

I'll ask for someone to take 

them over to Melbourne & to

post the keys to you.

I wanted leave to come over

to see you again, but the

Commandant of the N.S.W forces

would not let me go, as he

did not know when we might

I don't think it will be for

a week or more yet. So write me!

I am staying at the H.Q. & will

do so, until it is time to embark

As the Camping outside is very rough 

I felt very sorry for the poor chap

I have been out to see my lot

several times, & I'll get on all

right with them. I am changed

to another boat now

[*This time it is with the Imperial Reserve

Forces they are all British and who have served*]

The Salvation Army.

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,

4

for years with the colours and

are now called up again.

Many of them are glad that I am

going with them, the head Officers

are particularly nice to me. My

heavy luggage for use of troops

are now on the boat. This is

games & state Hymn books & Bibles.

I'm going to hold the first religious

service in the tent (army) at

Rosehill on Sunday aft'n,

Watch Cry for notice.

I hope all is going well with

you & the children. I have

thought so much of you all

& prayed not a little. It has

been a very busy week for me

hunting up Military Authorities

men & officers, besides getting

all these goods afore mentioned

clothes, lantern & slides & visiting

boats. 2 nights I spent at

Fred's who is out of work & 

one night with Mrs Birkenshaw

she was so grateful. I go to

see old Mrs Gore in Summer 
Hill hospital on Monday morning.

[*She always thought such a lot of me.

John Ivako very ill & feeble now .*]

The Salvation Army.

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,

5
I had a talk with the Commr

re you staying at Bendigo &

I asked him to leave you there

until the end of the year 

over the New Year, which 

he is doing & it is likely that

you will be shifted to Melbourne

somewhere in Jany - only Keep

this very dark & quietly prepare

for it. It largely depends

how long my present job will

last of course. Perhaps there

are other places you would

prefer to Melbourne, You can

say so if you get the chance.

As I guess they will mention it

to you.  Mrs Hay will see you

occasionally.

Give my warmest greetings to all

& I send heaps of hugs & kisses

to you all.

The name of my ship now is

"Miltiades" - Transport A24.

She is a lovely ship & will suit

well. Heaven bless you

Yours as ever. Father

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

The Salvation Army.

Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,

Master Don McKenzie, October 5^th 1914

Bendigo

My Dear Son Donald,

I guess you'll

be wondering how father is getting

on. I have not yet got away from

Sydney & don't think I will for another

week or ten days, altho' our ship

is now just about ready to go, but

I don't know what is keeping us

back now. However, I expect to

get on the move very soon. I

am now going with the "Imperial

Reserves" that is men who have

served with the Colours in Great

Britain & formerly belonged to

the Army there. I have been 

out to see them twice & they 

are glad I'm going with them.

I have been out to several of

the military Camps. I went up 

to Rose Hill yesterday & preached

in a large Marquee to 300

men, I also led the meeting

at Newtown at night when two

men got converted. I met Mr

Rivers there, Mrs Rivers brother

[*Watch the WarCry for news & read

it all out & paste in a book.*]