The death occurred at Dunedin on Saturday last of Mr Alex Mackay, a brother of Miss E. Mackay of the staff of Messrs Collinson and Son, Palmerston North. The deceased had been ill for some time. He was a member of the 28th reinforcements and was only 25 years of age. -Manawatu Standard, 6/4/1920.
Alexander MacKay was wounded at the beginning of the meat grinder which was the Battle of Bapaume in August, 1918. He suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand, which left the index finger "unable to fully flex," and was under treatment for four days before being discharged to his unit. A few days later he was readmitted - the wound had become septic.
He arrived back in New Zealand in April, 1919, and was admitted to the Christchurch hospital, later the Featherston military hospital. Shortly after admission he made his will.
In the days before antibiotics, I imagine that the progress of the infection which killed Alex MacKay was slow, painful and inexorable.
Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.
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