Mackenzie, Gilbert Kerr

A black and white photocopy of a very detailed manuscript titled 'Army memoirs of Gilbert Kerr Mackenzie', written by NX132907 (N247489) Lieutenant Gilbert Kerr Mackenzie. Lt Mackenzie first served with 55th Battalion (New South Wales Regiment), which began as a militia unit, and early in 1942 applied to join the Intelligence Section, part of Battalion Headquarters (HQ) before being transported with his Battalion to Port Moresby of May 1942. By the end of 1942, he had transferred to the Australian Infantry Force (AIF) working in the Survey section of the HQ of the New Guinea Force (NGF), largely involved in maps and mapping. He was promoted to Corporal, before transferred to Z Special Unit, Services Reconnaissance Department, HQ. During his service with Z Special Unit, he was involved with experimental jumps as part of a parachute battalion, worked as part of the Planning, Training, Air and Technical Directorate, before undertaking Officer Cadet training in Seymour, Victoria in 1942. The manuscript includes Lt Mackenzie's 50 page memoir, photographs of him and family members as well as his involvement in his work, and several appendices containing examples of illustrated envelopes, a list of New Guinea bush foods, a copy of a letter Mackenzie wrote to his mother, and other ephemera.