John Grant Malcolmson
Lieutenant, Third Bombay Light Cavalry
- Register No.
- 827 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- Third Bombay Light Cavalry (register: 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry) all 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry VCs →
- Date of action
- 8 February 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Anglo-Persian War
- London Gazette
- 1st August 1860 on this day → all of 1860 →
- Born
- 9th February, 1835 at Muchrach, Inverness, Scotland
- Died
- 14th August 1902 at London
- Memorial / grave
- at Kensal Green Cemetery, London
Digest of citation
At the Battle of Khoosh-ab, in Persia, during an attack on the enemy on the 8th February 1857, the Adjutant, Lieutenant Thomas Moore, (Reg. No.885) was most likely to have been the first man, by the length of a horse, into the attack. His horse, on leaping into the square fell dead, crushing its rider and breaking his sword, in the midst of the enemy. The Adjutant swiftly freed himself and attempted to fight his way out. He would have almost certainly lost his life if Lieutenant Malcolmson hadn't noticed his plight and fought his way to his Adjutant through a crowded enemy and rescued him. He gave Lieutenant Moore his stirrup and carried him through the midst of the battle to safety
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MALCOLMSON, John Grant. (reg No. 827).
Lieutenant. Third Bombay Light Cavalry.
London Gazetted on 1st August 1860.
Born on 9th February, 1835 at Muchrach, Inverness, Scotland.
Died on 14th August 1902 at London.
Memorial on grave at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
Digest of Citation reads: At the Battle of Khoosh-ab, in Persia, during an attack on the enemy on the 8th February 1857, the Adjutant, Lieutenant Thomas Moore, (Reg. No.885) was most likely to have been the first man, by the length of a horse, into the attack. His horse, on leaping into the square fell dead, crushing its rider and breaking his sword, in the midst of the enemy. The Adjutant swiftly freed himself and attempted to fight his way out. He would have almost certainly lost his life if Lieutenant Malcolmson hadn't noticed his plight and fought his way to his Adjutant through a crowded enemy and rescued him. He gave Lieutenant Moore his stirrup and carried him through the midst of the battle to safety.
Additional information:. Captain Malcolm was a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (M V O). In 1870 he became a Gentlemen-at-Arms.
Additional information
Captain Malcolm was a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (M V O). In 1870 he became a Gentlemen-at-Arms.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Kensal Green Cemetery, London
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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