Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce A.G.S. Kenya medal awarded to Chief Inspector (Reserve) W. N. McKenzie, Kenya Police Air Wing, late Warrant Officer (pilot), Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed when his aircraft crashed during a supply drop mission to a Forest Tracking Patrol in the Aberdare Forest, 21 October 1954. An ex commercial pilot with vast experience, including having flown over 600 operational hours during the Mau Mau troubles

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (M.1064 C.I. (R). W. N. McKenzie.) good very fine £200-£240

William Nathaniel ‘Nat’ McKenzie was born in Perth, Australia in March 1925. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in March 1943, and advanced to Warrant Officer. McKenzie served as a pilot and was discharged, 26 September 1945. He moved to South Africa after the war, and was initially employed as a commercial pilot. McKenzie subsequently served as a Chief Inspector (Reserve) of the Kenya Police Air Wing based in Nairobi.

McKenzie served as pilot during the Mau Mau troubles, and was killed in an air crash, 21 October 1954. The following additional detail was given by The Western Australian, 22 October 1954:
‘William Nat McKenzie formerly of Perth was killed instantly when the aircraft he was piloting in anti Mau Mau operations in Kenya crashed in the Aberdare Forest, the Government announced today. A passenger in the supply drop aircraft Sergeant Cyril Derek Tuck of Bridport, Dorset was seriously injured. Mr. McKenzie a former commercial pilot and member of the Royal Australian Air Force had flown more than 600 hours on anti Mau Mau operations. The plane was dropping supplies to a forest tracking party. Mr. McKenzie leaves a widow.’