Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Major Hugh Thomas Alcock, Royal Durban Light Infantry, captured in North Africa 1942

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War and Africa Service Medals, these officially impressed (2310 H. T. Alcock); Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Union of South Africa, reverse engraved, ‘Maj. T. T. Alcock, 2nd R.D.L.I.’, mounted for wear, good very fine (5) £120-160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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Hugh Thomas Alcock was born in Durban, Natal on 11 April 1903 (?). He was educated at Hilton College and served in the Cadet Corps. As a Legal Clerk he was granted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Infantry (Durban Light Infantry) Active Citizen Force. Attaining the rank of Captain in September 1929, he transferred to the Supernumerary List, A.C.F. in May 1931. In June 1934 he transferred to the Reserve of Officers, Infantry Branch. In March 1940, employed in civil life as a Sugar Technologist, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Durban Light Infantry. He was employed on full-time military service and was attached to the Permanent Force as a Captain in May 1940. With the Royal Durban L.I. he served in North Africa and during the fighting around Tobruk, he was captured and became a prisoner-of-war. At the end of the conflict he was released and returned to South Africa in September 1945. Alcock was released from full time service in January 1946 and was promoted to Major in July 1946. At that rank he was awarded the Efficiency Decoration (Union of South Africa), the award published in the Staatskoerant of 25 November 1949. Sold with copied research and copied group photograph.