This memorial is dedicated to Able Seaman Albert McKenzie VC, who landed on Zeebrugge Mole on St George’s Day, 1918 as a member of B Company, Royal Naval Landing Party. It is very impressive, but to anyone who knows his story, very emotional. The sculpture of the brave sailor, who was only 19 years old, carrying a Lewis gun stands on a concrete plinth, an actual part of the Zeebrugge Mole, in Tower Bridge Road. The inscription on the memorial reads:

ABLE SEAMAN ALBERT EDWARD MCKENZIE
BORN BERMONDSEY 23RD OCTOBER 1898
HMS VINDICTIVE, ZEEBRUGGE RAID, 23RD APRIL 1918
AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR
MOST CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY
OUR LOCAL HERO

Sadly, Albert died on 3 November 1918 from influenza, while recovering in hospital from wounds sustained at Zeebrugge, only days before the war ended. He was buried at Camberwell (Forest Hill) Cemetery in London.

This emotive memorial was unveiled in 2015 on Albert’s 117th birthday as HMS Belfast provided a gun salute in his honour. It is fitting that it stands close to where he was born and where he lived his short life. This memorial is a wonderful tribute to this young lad from Bermondsey who took part in the Zeebrugge Raid.

The story of Able Seaman Albert McKenzie is featured in ‘ ‘The Zeebrugge Raid 1918: The Finest Feat of Arms’ published by The History Press.

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‘Voices from the Past: The Zeebrugge Raid’ published by Pen & Sword Books:
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