38687: Alexander John Mackenzie, Reverend Colonel

Alasdair Iain Ruairidh

Alexander John (1887-1947) was born at Kinresort and was a son of Roderick Mackenzie and Christina Fraser, formerly of Lochbroom. 

In 1891, Alexander John moved with his family to the Keeper’s Cottage, Uig Lodge, where his father continued his employment as a gamekeeper. He went to Crowlista School.

Alexander John  became a minister in the Church of Scotland and joined the Army, becoming an Army Chaplain with the Seaforth Highlanders and Chaplain at Catterick Camp, Richmond in Yorkshire. Alexander John attained the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy which is the equivalent of Colonel in the Army.

At Berwick Upon Tweed, in 1932, he married Margaret Sutton Sharpe from Hampstead, London. The couple lived at 24 West Terrace, Richmond, Yorkshire and they had a daughter, Caroline. 

The family later moved to Edinburgh and lived at 56 Leamington Terrace. 

The couple are interred in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh.

Extracts from his memoirs are published here:

<<38689##I: The Gamekeeper's Family>>

II: Seventh Son

III: Kinlochresort

IV: The School at Kinresort

V: Uig Lodge

VI: Crowlista School

VII: First Trip to Stornoway