Very little is known about Captain Sir William Mackenzie. The only details that exist follow his military career as Lieutenant and Adjutant of the re-raised 2nd Battalion 78th Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs) from 1804.

After victorious battles Gibraltar, Sicily, and Maida, and less successful ventures in Egypt, the 78th Highlanders returned to Britain, and Mackenzie became Captain of the 1st Battalion in 1810. The battalion fought to expel the French from Java in 1811 in a bloody battle – the French had around 4,000 casualties, while the British lost 154 troops, and Mackenzie was wounded – he returned home on half pay. There are no records of his military service between this time and his death 27 years later; he died as Sir William Mackenzie in 1838.

The portrait dates to 1810, making the painting the earliest known depiction of 78th Highlander. Interestingly, the 78th had been granted the Battle Honour ‘Assaye’ in 1803, and ‘Maida’ in 1807, although neither honour appears on Mackenzie’s belt plate or bonnet. It is possible that the work was painted in 1804 whilst Mackenzie was Adjutant, further implied by his hand resting on papers.

Sir William Mackenzie served with the 78th Highlanders during the Capture of Java in 1811. This Army Gold Medal inscribed with ‘JAVA’ was awarded to Lieutenant Colonel David Forbes; Mackenzie would have received the same medal. The medal is also known as the Peninsula Gold Medal and was issued to those with a rank no less than Battalion Commander.