Albert Edward McKenzie was born on 23 October 1898 at 10 Alice Street Bermondsey London. Later the family moved to 1 Shorncliffe Road off the Old Kent Road

At the time of his birth Albert's family consisted of: Alexander - father aged 47 - a photgrapher, born in Scotland, Eliza - mother aged 44 - born in Bermondsey, Richard - brother aged 23 - living in the same house, with his wife Elizabeth 21, Eliza - sister aged 22, Alexander - brother aged 20, Donald - brother aged 15, Mary - sister aged 14, Isabella - sister aged 12, Thomas - brother aged 7, Lilian - sister aged 5. (John - brother - had died 15 years earlier aged 4)

Albert attended Webb Street School just the other side of Tower Bridge Road. The school still exists but has been renamed Grange School.

In 2017 a new assembly hall was built and named the Albert McKenzie Hall in his honour.

Albert joins the Oxford and Bermondsey Club (OBC)

In 1897 Dr John Stansfeld moved from Oxford to live in Bermondsey and for 16 years he led a missionary team called the Oxford Medical Mission. A small dispensary in Abbey Street provided free medical care in this very deprived part of London. John Stansfeld also established a Boys Club where 'The Doctor' encouraged sport and in particular boxing, which was seen as a good distraction for the rougher street children.

Eventually the local residents launched an appeal for a Stansfeld Commemoration Fund which became the basis of the Stansfeld Club (opened in 1911). Later the Mission changed its name to the Oxford and Bermondsey Club (OBC).

Albert was a member of this club and it is where he first gained his skill at boxing.

The OBC still exists and now occupies purpose built premises in Webb Street. In 2015 its members led by Paul Keefe started a fund to raise money for a memorial to their former club member.