Orders, Decorations and Medals

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Malaya (Sgt. F. W. South, F.M.S.V.F.) good very fine £160-200

The recipient, who was a Sergeant at the time of being awarded the medal, was subsequently promoted Lieutenant, and received two further award clasps to his Efficiency Medal. The second clasp being published in the Federated Malays States Government Gazette of 7 January 1938 (reference In Oriente Primus, by Moffatt & Riches).

Francis Wilton South. M.A., the son of Reverend Edward Wilton South (Clergyman, Church of England) and Frances Julia Wilton, was a native of Blackheath, London, England, where he was born circa 1886. The 1901 National Census of England and Wales, shows him residing with his parents at St. Mary’s Vicarage, Podington, Bedfordshire. Francis had a long career as a gazetted officer of the Colonial Service. His early career included an appointment in Barbados. He subsequently worked extensively in the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements, including Singapore, where he is known to have served circa 1919-1939. Francis was latterly Chief Field Officer, Department of Agriculture, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States. He was an author of numerous published reports, and research papers, including ‘British Administration in Malaya’ which latter was published in Australian Journal of Public Administration, Volume 6, Issue 2, June 1946. Francis Wilton South and his wife migrated to Australia, and lived in Perth, Western Australia, where he is known to have died in 1963, his remains being interred at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Australia. With copied notes.