 In 1920 he was promoted brigadier general and later retired as a major general; he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on his retirement.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".