The Raid on Zeebrugge - 23rd April 1918

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Albert with his mother and sister Mary waiting for the investiture at Buckingham Palace

Albert receives his medal from the King - click on this text to see the Newsreel film from which the photo above was taken

Albert, still on crutches, after the investiture. This picture is a still taken from a newsreel movie. To view the movie click on this text

... The VC's

Able Seaman Albert McKenzie

The sailors from the Vindictive, Iris and Daffodil held their ballot and chose the critically wounded Albert McKenzie to represent them. Albert had been taken straight from Dover by train to the Royal Naval Hospital in Chatham. He was treated for his wounds and had begun to make a good recovery. By the Summer he was able to get about on crutches and was well enough to travel to London. Reportedly this 'hero of Zeebrugge' even had his portrait painted by order of the Navy Board.

On 31 July 1918 Albert went to Buckingham Palace accompanied by his mother and sister. Standing in the Quadrangle with all the other Zeebrugge heroes, he was presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V.

After his investiture Albert went back to his mother's house in Shorncliffe Road to a hero's welcome. On the doorsteps of his home, which was ablaze with coloured flags and bunting, he was welcomed by the Mayor of Southwark who said Albert's honour was unique in a double sense, in that he was the first London sailor to receive the Victoria Cross and also the first to be awarded it by the votes of his comrades. The mayor then thrilled the crowd by holding up Albert's blood-stained uniform and smashed wrist watch.

A present of War Bonds and a Presentation Address from his many friends in the Parish of St Mark's Camberwell was given to his widowed mother. 'We are prouder of you than we can say' was the way the subscribers summed up their admiration for their fellow parishioner.

Albert receives a hero's welcome in Lambeth

Albert dies ...