b. 09/11/1914 Hale, Cheshire. d. 11/02/1945 Warwick Farm Naval Base, Liverpool, NSW.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 10/11/1942 North Africa.
Malcolm J Clow AM
Malcolm was the son of John Percy and Eva Mary Clow. His father was an accountant in Manchester. Malcolm attended Altrincham Grammar School and was a local Scout Master. He then gained entry to Cambridge University to study Medicine. He was a Cambridge half blue in Swimming and Water Polo. He graduated with a MA, MD, and B.Ch. He then gained employment at Manchester Royal Infirmary and Crumpsall Hospital just prior to World War II. On the outbreak of war, he enlisted in the Royal Navy, and rose to the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant serving aboard HMS Ibis. He was the last recipient of the Albert Medal in Gold to survive his action following the creation of the George Cross. Following his recovery from his injuries he returned to the Navy. Tragically, Malcolm took his own life at Warwick Farm Naval Base in Liverpool, New South Wales, and was buried in the Sydney War Cemetery in Rookwood.
AM CITATION:
Surgeon Lieutenant Clow was between decks when H.M.S. Ibis was hit and badly damaged. Wounded men were brought to him in the Sick Bay, among them an Engine Room Artificer badly burnt about the arm. Surgeon Lieutenant Clow gave him an injection of morphia, and, as the ship was now sinking, helped the man up the ladder and out on to the upper deck. As the man had no life belt, he put his own on him. Then he got him into the water, and made sure he was free of the ship before he himself abandoned it. In doing this Surgeon Lieutenant Clow became entangled in the rigging and was taken down some way before he got clear. He then swam for three hours without a life belt before he was picked up.
BURIAL LOCATION: SYDNEY WAR CEMETERY, ROOKWOOD, SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
PLOT 5, ROW C, GRAVE 8.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
Acknowledgements:
Imperial War Museum (non-commercial licence) – Image of Malcolm Clow AM.