Beschreibung:

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant The superb Great War D.S.O. group seven awarded to Colonel G. A. Malcolm, 1/14th Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish) A long-served member of this crack Territorial unit, Malcolm rose to its command and led his men with supreme bravery in action in 1914, most notably on 31 October 1914 on Messines Ridge - they were the first Territorial unit of the British Army to see action - and earned high acclaim when standing firm at a pivotal moment in the campaign Malcolm personally led a bayonet charge at 'Brown Road Wood', Zillebeke, on 11 November before being invalided home; recovered, he returned to the fold and rose to be Assistant Director of Labour in France Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with top riband bar adapted for mounting; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Lt: Col: G. A. Malcolm. 14/Lond: R.), minor official correction to '14'; British War and Victory Medals (Col. G. A. Malcolm.); Coronation 1911; Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R. (Major G. A. Malcolm. 7/Middx V.R.C.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1913, with integral top riband bar, adapted for mounting, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine, housed in fitted Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, London leather case (7) D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918. George Alexander Malcolm was born at Islington, London in 1871, son of James Robert Malcolm a member of the famous London shippers Malcolm & Co. He enjoyed a lifetime of service with the London Scottish, commencing when he joined 'A' Company in February 1891. Some two years later he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, being advanced Lieutenant in 1895. Posted to 'D' Company and advanced Captain in 1899, in succession to the late Major Brodie, who had been an original member of the Corps and who had joined upon its formation in 1860 (The London Scottish Gazette, May 1933, refers). Under his careful eye, 'D' Company won the 'Halley' Claymore and 'Celestial' Cup, besides taking numerous prizes in various shooting and drill competitions. Malcolm was made a Partner in the family firm in 1904, enthusing numerous members of his staff to join his Territorial unit, which was rightly considered the finest in all of London (The Tatler, 25 November 1914). His finest hour came in the heat of action upon the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. Malcolm famously commanded his unit, the 1/14th Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), into the cauldron of Messines Ridge, 31 October 1914, therefore becoming the first Territorial unit to see action during the Great War. Having landed in France on 16 September 1914 the London Scottish, decked out in their Hodden Grey kilts, initially saw service in the lines of communication. This all changed as the British positions began to fold in late October with the gallant Malcolm - aged 43 - at their head. Messines Ridge - Halloween 1914 Packed into thirty-four London buses, the unit arrived at Ypres at 0300hrs on 29 October 1914 (with Sir Douglas Haig and Colonel Malcolm sharing a bus); they had a brief rest and breakfast before marching on to Gheluvelt to build trenches. After a hard day's work the Battalion marched back to Ypres for rest - however, this anticipation was to be short-lived. When they arrived at the Cloth Hall, more buses were waiting to take them on to another destination - Armentières - where they were to support the 2nd Division Cavalry at St Eloi. Again they began the day by digging trenches but at 0800hrs received new orders. They calmly set off for Messines Ridge where a dangerous opening had been forced in the line by the enemy. The task handed to Malcolm and those under his charge was to reinforce the Allied line and close the opening near what were known as Hun's Farm and Middle Farm. At the time Messines Ridge was occupied by the British infantry, which was under constant heavy artillery fire. On two occasions the London Scottish not only halted German attacks but forced the Ger