James Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh on 31 Aug 1804. He was the eldest son of Kincaid Mackenzie, a merchant who had been Lord Provost of Edinburgh. His mother was Charlotte, daughter of another merchant, William Hall. After university in Edinburgh he trained as a cadet in 1820 and posted with the rank of cornet in the 8th BNC in Jan 1821. He was promoted to lieutenant on 13 May 1825 and appointed Interpreter and QM two months later. He was on active service at Bhurtpore and assisted Lt Barbor’s Troop in capturing Durjan Sal. He was appointed Adjutant of the 8th from 14 Feb 1826 to 21 Jan 1836. After a furlough from Dec 1836 to Jan 1839 he was given command of the 6th Irregular Cavalry from 18 Jan 1840 until Jan 1846, with the rank of captain as from 5 Oct 1836. During his period of command they were in the Army of Reserve for Afghanistan in 1842-3, and operations against Hill tribes in Sind in 1844, fighting an action near Mubarikpur on 23 Aug 1844.
He rejoined the 8th BLC in Jan 1846 for the First Sikh War but there was little to do so he rejoined the 6th Irregulars from April 1846 to 13 Oct 1848, then returned to the 8th BLC in December. This time he was with them for the battles of the Second Sikh War, Chillianwallah and Goojerat. For his service he was awarded brevet majority. He went back to the 6th Irregular Cavalry in April 1849, was promoted to Major on 10 Aug 1850 and rejoined the 8th BLC in Nov 1854. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 April 1854. He was on leave in Simla from April 1857 and was there on sick leave when he died on 15 Aug 1859. He was married to Napier Louisa Johnston at Nasirabad on 6 Sep 1830.
