The Collection of Medals to the Medical Services formed by Colonel D.G.B. Riddick

The fine O.B.E. and Great War M.C. and Bar group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Malcolm, Royal Army Medical Corps, mentioned during the Second War for services whilst a Prisoner-of-War of the Japanese

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); General Service 1918-62, 4 clasps, N.W. Persia. Kurdistan, Iraq, Palestine, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted for display, good very fine and better (9) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Medical Services formed by Colonel D.G.B. Riddick.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 3 July 1926. ‘Captain (local Major), M.C., M.B., Royal Army Medical Corps, attached Iraq Levies’.

M.C. London Gazette 10 January 1917. ‘Capt., M.B., R.A.M.C., Spec. Res.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great courage and determination in constantly directing bearer squads under heavy fire. On another occasion he rescued several men who were buried’.

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘Capt., M.C., M.B., R.A.M.C. Spec. Res.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. He was at an advanced dressing station with another medical officer, and seeing the enemy advancing they loaded their car with wounded and, picking up others on the way, conveyed them to a safe place. During the journey he was under close and constant fire’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 January 1917, 15 September 1939, 12 September 1946.

John Wright Malcolm was born in Mauchline, Ayrshire on 18 January 1891. Receiving his medical training at Edinburgh University, he gained the M.B. and Ch.B. in 1915. Commissioned a Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. in August 1914, he was mobilized in August the following year. He served in France/Flanders, 1915-19, being promoted to Captain in February 1916 and Acting Major, December 1918-April 1919. For his bravery under fire he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the M.C. and Bar. Demobilized on 14 April 1920, he rejoined with the rank of Captain on 1 May the same year. He served in Mesopotamia, 1920 and Persia, 1920-27, seconded under the Colonial Office to the Iraq Levies, 1921-27. Holding the local rank of Major, April 1924-March 1927, he was promoted to that rank in August 1927. For his service with the Iraq Levies he was awarded the O.B.E. in 1926. Further service followed in China, 1930-33, Egypt, 1935-37 and Palestine, 1937-39. He was appointed Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1940 and Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel December 1940-September 1941 and again from December 1941. During the war he was C.O. of 1 C.C.S., 1940-41 and then in Malaya was C.O. of 1 Malayan C.C.S., 1941-42. He was captured as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese at Singapore on 15 February 1942. After his release he received a mention in despatches ‘... in recognition of gallant and distinguished services while (a) Prisoner of War’, and in January 1946 was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. He tragically died on 6 October 1948 ‘while trying to save furniture from a fire at his mother’s house in Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh ... His death is believed to have been due to heart failure caused by strain and excitement’. Sold with M.I.D. document re. his 12 September 1946 ‘mention’ and War Office M.I.D. forwarding letter dated 1 April 1948 where the recipient’s address is given as ‘Highmount, Shady Bower, Salisbury’. Together with a folder containing copied research.