Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada, 1944-1945. Killed in action at Wilp, The Netherlands, 12 April 1945.
8 Medals a) Distinguished Service Order b) The 1939-1945 Star c) The Italy Star d) The France & Germany Star e) Defence Medal f) Canadian Volunteer Service medal with Clasp g) The 1939-1945 War Medal h) Distinguished Service Cross (U.S.). The medals are encased in a wood, gilded frame with glass cover and Davidson Tartan background upon which the medals are placed.
Donald Mackenzie joined the the 48th Highlanders in 1937. At the outbreak of the Second World War he proceeded overseas as Battalion Transport Officer (TO) in December 1939. He was still TO and during the “Foray to France” in June 1940 played a major role in getting his transport platoon safely back via small pleasure craft that took them to Falmouth after having missed the ship carrying the main body. In the UK he served in various appointments, up to company commander. In early 1942 he attended the Canadian War Staff Course and was selected as the only Canadian officer to instruct on the Imperial Staff College Course at Camberly. During this time he also served as Personal Assistant to Field Marshal Montgomery. In early 1944 he returned to the 48th as Bn 2ic. In June 1944 he succeeded LCol Ian Johnston who had been appointed Brigadier of 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade. LCol Mackenzie commanded the unit for the remainder of the campaign in Italy, including the fierce battles of the Gothic Line, Rimini Line and the Lamone River. He distinguished himself for his sure and brilliant handling of the Battalion in these operations.
In March 1945 the battalion transferred to Belgium to complete the liberation of The Netherlands. On 11-Apr-45, the first day of Operation Cannonshot whose goal was the liberation of Apeldoorn, the battalion crossed the Ijssel River near Wilp. When communications faltered Mackenzie, impatient for news crossed the Ijssel River and entered Wilp. Seeing a Canadian tank he decided to use the telephone on the rear of the tank to reestablish communication with his companies. A German shell smashed nearby and the concussion killed the 30 year old Colonel. The battle, now under command of the Second in Command Major Jim Counsell , carried on to its initial goal of Twello, on time and on objective.
LCol DA Mackenzie was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his leadership of the battle crossing of the Lamone River in December 1944 and posthumously awarded the United States Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for Operation Cannonshot. The central square in Wilp was named “Mackenzie Platz” in his honour.