MacKenzie, John Irven

Date of birth:: December 17th, 1916 (Newboro/Ontario, Canada)
Date of death:: February 3rd, 1943 (Leusden, the Netherlands)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Oud-Leusden (Rusthof)
Plot: 13. Row: 5. Grave: 87.
Service number:: John Irven MacKenzie
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

John was born on December 17 1916 in Newboro Ontario, the son of John Smith MacKenzie and Ella Elizabeth Mackenzie nee Lyons, of Belleville, Ontario. He was married on October 12 1938 in Picton Ontario with Margaret Doris Mackenzie nee Wallbridge of Belleville. Their children were James Ian, Elizabeth Ann and Doris Jane MacKenzie. Margaret remarried later as Mrs. Coe. His brother was Charles Roy MacKenzie.

He was a salesman and member of the Anglican Church. He spoke English and at the middle school French and Latin. His hobbies were fishing and hunting and his sports were rugby, hockey, softball, lacrosse, boxing, basketball, tennis, skiing and swimming.

He enlisted on February 13 1941 in Toronto and he went thereafter on February 19 1942 overseas to the UK.

John was killed in action on Wednesday February 3 1943 age 26 due to a crash near Leusden, between the Valleikanaal and the railway line. His other fallen RCAF crew members were W/O II William M. Murdoch age 21 in grave 13-5-82, WO II William O. Powell age 22 in grave 13-5-83, P/O Daniel O’Neill age 24 in grave 13-5-88 and F/Sgt Arley H. Thiessen age 24 in grave 13-5-84. The fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew members were P/O Denis H. Smith age 22 in grave 13-5-86 and P/O Derek G. De Garis age 21 in grave 13-5-85. And the fallen RAF crew member was Sgt Ronald F. Evans age 26 in grave 13-5-81.

On his headstone: THOUGH LOST TO SIGHT, TO MEMORY EVER DEAR

His name is, together with the other 7 fallen crew members, at the monument in Leusden.

He served with the 214 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force

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