Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The extremely rare campaign group of four awarded to Major R. J. H. L. Mackenzie, Royal Engineers, a pioneering military aeronaut who ascended in his balloon up to 750 feet for 7 hours as part of a marching column in the Soudan in March 1885 - only the second time that the Balloon Detachment had been sent out on active service, and the first time that it had been present in a campaign where there was fighting. Mackenzie subsequently served as part of the Zhob Field Force under Sir George White, and as the Survey Officer with the Second Miranzai Expedition of 1891, being Mentioned in Despatches for his services during both campaigns

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Lieut: R. Mackenzie. R.E.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Samana 1891 (Captain R. J. H. L. Mackenzie R.E.); Khedive’s Star, 1884-6, unnamed as issued; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Ronald J. Mackenzie); together with a bronze Confirmation medallion, engraved ‘Ronald Mackensie’ [sic], minor edge nicks, generally good very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200

Ronald Joseph Henry Louis Mackenzie was born in Clonmel, Ireland in 1863. He was the son of Major A. C. Mackenzie, and was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in July 1882. Military experiments with balloons began at Woolwich Arsenal in 1878, with the first balloon section presented at Aldershot in 1880. A school of instruction was established in 1883, and Mackenzie became a pioneer of the Balloon Detachment after it was sent out on active service for the first time in 1884, ‘When, in the autumn of 1884, an expedition was sent to Bechuanaland under Sir Charles Warren, expel the filibusters who had raided the territory, to pacificate the country, and to reinstate the natives, a balloon detachment under Major Elsdale and Captain F. C. Trollope, of the Grenadier Guards, attached to the Royal Engineers, was included in the expedition. They took with them in the detachment three balloons, and a staff consisting of fifteen non-commissioned officers and men. There was no fighting. At Mafeking, which was then a native village, it was found that owing to the elevation above sea-level neither of the two smaller balloons had lift enough to raise a man into the air, and that the largest balloon could take up only one observer....

Balloons were used again on active service in the following year, 1885, in the Soudan. A small detachment, under Major Templer with Lieutenant R. J. H. L. Mackenzie, of the Royal Engineers, and nine non-commissioned officers and sappers, accompanied the expeditionary force. The best of the material had been sent to Bechuanaland, so the equipment was very imperfect, but ascents made in a balloon of one of the smaller types at El Teb and Tamai [sic], and elsewhere, proved useful for reconnaissance.’ (War in the Air, by Sir Walter Raleigh and H. A. Jones refers)

Further details of the ascents made by Mackenzie are given in the History of the Royal Engineers:

‘The party went with the convoy to McNeil’s Zeriba at El Tofrek. On March 25 the balloon was filled during the previous night so as to be ready to join the convoy square at daybreak. Lt. Mackenzie ascended with instruments etc, complete, and was kept by Major Templar at heights varying from 200 to 400 feet, according to his requirements. He remained in the car for seven hours. It is interesting to record the various messages which passed on this occasion: 1) No enemy in sight for 3 miles around. 2) There is a column of our troops 3 miles off to North-West marching on Hasheen. 3) Camels appear in 2’s and 3’s in line with the highest peak of range, to left of Hasheen. Our own troops moving from Zeriba towards us in square. 4) Small bodies of enemy to our left front 800 yds. off. 5) (In answer to question: what strength?) About 40 to 30 men. 6) Dust rising towards Tamai 3 miles off, also on Trinkitat road some distance. 7) Few of the enemy to left front 800 yds. off, rather more to our left than previous body. Men getting out from bushes and running away towards Tamai. 8) Four men in open space, 800 yds. away, apparently watching balloon.’

Mackenzie’s balloon ventured as high as 750 feet, and was towed by a car in the centre of the marching column for 7 hours between Suakin and Tofrek. He advanced to Captain in September 1890, and was present in the same year with the Zhob Field Force under Sir George White (Mentioned in Despatches). Mackenzie served under Brigadier General Sir William Lockhart as the Survey Officer with the Second Miranzai Expedition of 1891. He was mentioned in the latter’s despatch (London Gazette 15 September 1891) thus:

‘Captain R. J. H. L. Mackenzie, Royal Engineers, has satisfactorily conducted the survey work of the expedition. He has been successful in extending the survey of the Orakzai country to the Tsappar range, south of Tirah, and to the Marghan pass between the Khanki and Kurmana valleys, thus completing the excellent work of Captain Wahab, Royal Engineers, whose name I brought to notice at the end of the last expedition.’

Mackenzie advanced to Major in December 1900. He was placed on half pay due to ill health in December 1903, and retired in August 1906. He served with the Metropolitan Special Constabulary during the Great War.

Sold with extensive copied research.