Cambridge District Scout Archive
Silver Wolf
Francis Alan John McKenzie ‘Mac‘ as he occasionally signed himself, born 18/3/1921 – died 21/9/2009)
Note: there were three ‘Macs’ in Cambridge Scouting, Alan McKenzie of the 11th, Macfarlane-Grieve of the 5th and Mackrow of the 12th. Alan was the last of these to establish him-self on a District level. The use of Mac without further identification is rare in records. Mackrow generally used Mac, Macfarlane-Grieve less widely (occasionally Uncle Mac), Alan apparently later, on paper at least.
Connected with the 11th from 1932 to 2009 – 77 years
- 1932 Invested as a Scout in the 11th Cambridge (in a hay loft)
- 1936 Attended Ely Rally as PL
- 1950 + SL 11th/9th (Dates not clearly identified)
- 1951 ADC Scouts
- 1953 – 1954 DSM
- 1957 – 1987 GSL 11th/9th (Dates not clearly identified)
Alan agreed to the amalgamation of the 9th and 11th Cambridge in 1959 at the request of the ex DC, CC and GSL of the 9th Rev C T Wood. The 9th was effectively in hibernation at this date.
- 1964 – 1966 DC Cambridge
- 1972 – 1978 DC Cambridge South (administrative sub district ahead of later split)
- 1979 – 1986 CC East Cambridgeshire
- Chairman Cambridge Gang Show
Now aged 65/66
- 1987 – Chair of Newnham Scout and Guide Centre
- Recorder (and other roles?) Swimming Gala
- 1987 Vice President Cambridgeshire
- Edited ‘East Cambridgeshire Scouts’ Newsletter 1984
- Edited ‘Cambridgeshire Noticeboard’ (E & W Camb. amalgamation) Newsletter c 1990 –
Joined RN as signaller (dates unknown) Mentioned in Evercircular letters as being in the Navy. He was in attendance at the 11th Cambridge Victory meal in 1946.
11th and 11th /9th
GSL
In 1959 ‘our group was created from the merger of two Scout Groups – the 11th, based in the New Town area of Cambridge, and the 9th, based at Queens’ College. At the time, the 11th was lead by Alan McKenzie; we remember his contribution to Scouting by having the Mackenzie tartan as the background of our group badge.’
It appears that Alan was active as GSL during those periods when he was DC and CC. To what extent he handed over daily running of the Group is unclear. The Group was a Troop only until 1969 and running on <25 Scouts, (occasionally Senior Scouts). From 1969 onwards the numbers were nearer 60 with addition of a pack (the 2nd Newnham pack united with the 11th/9th).
DC
The short period as DC 1964 – 1966 has little clear information. He is not named as an interim DC and it is not clear why he stepped down at this date.
He later took on the role as DC of South Cambridge in 1972, then an administrative sub District, ahead of the formal split in 1983. He moved fairly directly from this DC role to that of CC.
CC
Alan moved to CC from DC and was CC at a time when the large Cambridge District subdivided into three, Cambridge South, Cambridge North and Cambridge Crafts Hill. This had been some years in the preparation, although the date of final decision is not clear.
The County was then known as East Cambridgeshire, a West Cambridgeshire having been formed to match the Local Authority boundary changes and the absorption of Huntingdonshire and Peterborough into Cambridgeshire. This temporary situation may have required new liaisons with West Cambridgeshire.
In 1987, then 66 years old he stepped down as CC and GSL, but remained closely engaged with the 11th/9th as Chair of the Newnham Scout and Guide Centre and active in support roles in major District activities such as the Swimming Gala and the Gang Show.
Alan has been described as one who lived for scouting. He always comes across in his pictures as being a friendly presence and enthusiastic for all he was involved in.
- Silver Acorn 1964
- Silver Wolf 1976
For many years he lived at 44 Rathmore Road. Lewis McKenzie, Alan’s son, was Scout and SL for a period (see staff, wedding) and others from the family were involved (Andrew and Peter) at camps.
JWR Archivist Jan 2023
Cambridge District Scout Archive 