Between the Covers

Hardcover. Folio. Measuring 12" x 16". Green cloth over stiff paper boards. Contains 143 sepia-toned or black and white gelatin silver photographs measuring between 2" x 3" and 9" x 11" with captions. Additionally includes several pieces of ephemera. Good only album with tape repaired edges with near fine contents.

A scrapbook and photo album compiled by Roderick Kilgour Martineau, later Mackenzie, detailing his time at the Royal Military College as a “Gentleman Cadet” and while serving in World War I. The first few pages cover Roderick's (sometimes captioned as “Roy”) schooling with images from the college along with letters from headmasters and report cards. A clipping from the *London Gazette* on January 18, 1916 reads, “the King has been graciously pleased to give and to grant unto Roderick Kilgour Martineau, Gentleman, Cadet at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, His Royal Licence and Authority that he may take and henceforth use the surname of Mackenzie in lieu of that of Martineau, that he may bear the arms of Mackenzie, and that such surname and arms may in like manner be taken, borne and used by his issue.” Roderick assumed the name Mackenzie from then on.

After graduation he was sent immediately to France as a Second Lieutenant with the Seaforth Highlanders. A handwritten timeline documents his career from school in 1915 until the end of the war. According to the timeline he was sent to France in April of 1917 rising to acting Captain by the end of that year. Shortly after he was reported wounded but “remained with the unit” as an assistant Adjutant. In August of 1918 he was hospitalized with blood poisoning but recovered and was appointed Adjutant with the 7th Battalion with the Army of Occupied Germany. After the 7th Battalion was demobilized, he was sent to India with the 2nd Battalion. His military photographs are featured throughout the album with men posed in uniform, participating in machine gun demonstrations, and playing cricket during their leisure time. One section shows Roderick during his hospital stay at the V.A.D. Hospital. This same page reads, “and what did you do during the Great War mother?” and shows Roderick’s mother in her nursing uniform along with the Dowager Countess of Suffolk, whom she worked under.

Along with the photographs, Roderick collects ephemera and newspaper clippings from his time in the war. Many of these detail the exploits of the units he was involved with, especially the Highlanders. Other clippings document Royal involvement in the war, British triumphs, and political cartoons. One full page clipping reads, “The Great Victory March – Huge London Crowds Cheer Men Who Won Peace” and includes a large photo of the crowds themselves. Roderick remained with the Highlanders and was eventually stationed in India in the early 1920s.

An extensive collection of a member of the aristocracy’s military career during World War I.

Item #429712