and became its first director-general in 1916. Considered too old, he was not appointed to active service overseas in World War I. He was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the Liverpool riot of 1916 by soldiers at the Liverpool and Casula camps. In 1920 he was promoted brigadier general and later retired as a major general. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on his retirement. Writings Kenneth Mackay published three books of poetry, including Stirrup jingles of sporting and bush verse, and two novels from 1887 to 1908. His books included Outback (1893), The Yellow Wave (1895), and Across Papua. In 1896 he published a play, To the West, a collaboration with Alfred Dampier. His poems included the Sons of Britannia still we are (1898) References External links James Alexander Mackay at Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB.anu.edu.au) 1859 births 1935 deaths 19th-century Australian writers 20th-century Australian writers Australian Companions of the Order of the Bath Australian farmers Australian generals Australian military personnel of the Second Boer War Australian military personnel of World War I Australian Officers of the Order of the British Empire Australian male short story writers Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council Military personnel from New South Wales People from Cootamundra