Sailors commemorate veteran

NAVAL base staff were recently invited to the commemoration event of a well-known armed forces veteran.

Albert McKenzie joined the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in the First World War, earning a Victoria Cross for his bravery in the raid to recapture the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium.

He was severely wounded but the operation was a success, due in large part to his leadership.

The Close Range Team at HMS Collingwood in Fareham went to his memorial statue in South London for the commemorations.

The statue is round the corner from The Den, home to his family’s beloved Millwall FC.

Staff from HMS Collingwood also went to The Den ahead of Millwall’s home match against Ipswich Town, for a pre-match ceremony.

Close range training instructor Nige Newport said: ‘It is always an honour to be part of this affiliation which takes place annually and I have met some amazing people from Bermondsey and from Millwall FC.

‘We have established such a good relationship with them which we, Millwall FC and the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal endeavour to keep going for the future.’