Addison Alexander Mackenzie

Addison Alexander "Lex" MacKenzie, (1 November 1885 – 13 May 1970) was a Canadian politician who represented York North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1945 to 1967 as a Progressive Conservative member.

Background MacKenzie was born to Douglas MacKenzie and Lydia Ann Addison in Woodbridge, Ontario (today a district in the City of Vaughan) on a farm (Lot 5 Concession 7) that was originally a land grant to his great-grandfather (and settled by his grandfather William MacKenzie (1819-1904) in 1842). He was educated in Woodbridge and then worked at a variety of jobs across the country.

In 1914, at the start of First World War, he enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles and quickly rose to the rank of major because of his previous experience serving in the militia (The Governor General's Body Guard).

During the Battle of the Somme, MacKenzie led a reconnaissance party to observe the effects of the artillery fire and later led his men and assaulted the Germans positions. His efforts that day would earn him the Military Cross. The citation read: "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried out a daring reconnaissance of the enemy's wire in daylight. Later he led his Company with great courage and determination, greatly assisting the bombers by sniping the enemy as they brought up reinforcements."

MacKenzie went on to participate in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, leading the 4th company. During the action he was hit by shrapnel from an artillery shell and was seriously wounded. His wounds were serious enough that he spent the rest of the war behind the front lines. He returned to farming after the war. Every Thanksgiving he held a turkey dinner for his neighbours. In 1945 he ran again, this time defeating Mitchell.

He served as a backbench member of the house for the next 22 years and finally retired in 1967. He was not known as a strong speaker and made only two speeches but was remembered as a strong advocate for his riding constituents. The old homestead property was then redeveloped into the present-day Pioneer Lane residential housing neighbourhood in the mid-1970's.