b. 1899 Que Hu, Baluchistan, India.. d. 14/06/1939 Nomal Gilgit, India.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 18/06/1920 Madras, India.
Ian W Galbraith MC AM
Ian was born in 1899 in India, one of two sons of Sir William and Helen Mary Galbraith (nee Handcock). His mother was the daughter of Lieutenant-General Arthur Gore Handcock, CB. Ian spent the majority of his life in India, and followed in his father’s footsteps into the Indian Army, being commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 19th Lancers (Fane’s Horse). During the Great War, he was awarded the MC in 1917, though tragically his older brother Arthur was killed in action in 1918. Following his Albert Medal action, he was promoted to Captain, and in 1924, married Mary Florence Baker in Upton on Severn, Worcestershire. They then began married life in India where he was a Political Agent. They both drowned on 14th June 1939, when their canoe capsized in the Indus River near Gilgit, British India.
AM CITATION:
On the night of June 18th, 1920, a dangerous fire broke out’at the Arsenal at St.,.Thomas’ Mount, and the flames, 20’ft. high, had reached a spot within 5 yards of which a large quantity of aerial bombs were stacked.’ Lieutenant Galbraith superintended the removal of the bombs for nearly three-quarters of-an hour, remaining until the last bomb had been removed, and he set a splendid example to .the Troops by his gallantry and perseverance. Four thousand of these bombs were stored in the Arsenal, and an explosion would have resulted in heavy loss of life. Subadar-Major Ellaya, with 43 men of ” C ” Company, took. a prominent part in the work of removing-the bombs which were lying close to .the flames. He was the first member of his Regiment to arrive on the scene, and he too set a fine example to the men under him by carrying away the -bombs and continuing to do so until ordered to another duty by his Commanding Officer. The work he performed in removing the bombs exposed him to very great danger.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
Acknowledgement:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of Ian Galbraith MC AM.