A well documented General Service Medal for Malaya awarded to Police Lieutenant J. D. A. Abercrombie, Federation of Malaya Police, who was killed in action with Communist Terrorists on 23 August 1953

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (1130 P/Lt. J. D. A. Abercrombie, F. of M. Pol.) official correction to surname, extremely fine (lot) £500-600

John Dennis Alan Abercrombie was born on 25 February 1931 and was educated at Palmer’s Public School, Grays, Essex, 1942-48. An apprentice Electrician by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Artillery on 9 June 1949 and completed two and half years National Service having volunteered for an extra six months. With the R.A. he served in Cyprus, June-October 1951 and Egypt, October-November 1951. He was discharged on 8 December 1951 on the termination of his short service engagement. In March 1952 he was appointed a Police Lieutenant with the Malayan Police Service.

Serving as such, he was killed in action on 23 August 1953. A letter to his mother records:

‘I am writing to express to you on behalf of all ranks of the Federation of Malaya Police Force our sincere sympathy in the sad loss of your son on the 23rd August, 1953.

Your son was stationed in the Grik District in the State of Perak where he was employed on operational duties. On the morning of the 23rd August, 1953, he was with a Police party on an operation and located a Communist Terrorist encampment; it was during the engagement which followed that your son was killed instantly.

The funeral took place at 3 p.m. on Monday, 24th August, at the Christian Cemetery, Batu Gajah, Perak, with full Police honours. .... Your son had by his courage and devotion to duty won the affection of the men under his command and the confidence of his superior officers’.

With a quantity of original papers, and other items including: Birth Certificate; school reports; University of London Matriculation Certificate, June 1948; papers re Matriculation, 1948; Attestation Paper, June 1951; Regular Army Certificate of Service; Record of Service; Driving Licence; National Identity Card; pencil sketch, signed ‘Del. 51’; job application letter; several letters re his appointment as a Police Lieutenant with the Malayan Police Service, 26 March 1952; his C.V.’s.; letter to parents, 13 April 1953; letter written by the Deputy Commissioner of Police to his mother, 29 August 1953 - giving details of his death and funeral; named card medal box of issue, with named condolence slip, ‘1130 P. Lt. J. D. A. Abercrombie F. of M. Pol.’, and an associated letter in registered envelope, addressed to ‘Mrs E. Abercrombie, 124 Orsett Road, Grays, Essex’; papers re effects and money of the deceased; papers re. headstone; Malayan Police Magazine, March 1959 - re. Police Memorial; decorative shield bearing a photograph within a wreath and with the inscribed plaque, ‘The Parachute Regimental Association South Essex Branch’; papers re Parachute Regimental Association; numerous photographs, many military, including group shots of “A” and “B” Troops, 96 Airborne Light Battery Royal Artillery, Cyprus, September 1951; old school cap, blazer badge and tie.

For his father’s (J. Ambercrombie) and uncle’s (A. Pasterfield) medals see lots 1457 and 1471.