Lives of the First World War

Painted in 1918 by the artist Charles John De Lacy (1856–1936), this picture is displayed at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon

Under the terms of clause 13 of the VC statutes, in cases where a body of men was deemed to have been so gallant, the best way to select VCs was by a ballot, enabling the men themselves to decide. Following on from a ballot for the Royal Marine participants, a ballot was held for the Royal Navy participants. These latter were the ships crews of Vindictive, Iris II, Daffodil, as well as the men of the Naval Storming Party. Captain Carpenter of the Vindictive, and AB McKenzie who belonged to B Company of the seaman storming party, were awarded the VC as a result of the ballot. Unfortunately, the six page list does not break out the parties by company and embarked ship. In addition to what was on the original list, a "prior posting" column has been added, as well as the company if known. It can be seen that the men tend to be grouped by ship, and it appears he was in "A" Company aboard HMS Vindictive.