MALCOLM, Roy Hurtle Beaty MM (1894-1961)Roy Malcolm was born at Carlton, Victoria on 12 May 1894, the son of Andrew Malcolm and Mary Alice nee Hepburn. He was enrolled at Geelong College as a boarde in 1908 departing in 1911. His entry address was Balranald, NSW. In 1908 he won the following prizes:
2nd English, Middle IVth Form;
1st French, 3rd Form;
1st Boarders Scripture, Junior Division.During World War I, he enlisted (No 3352) in the AIF on 24 February 1915, and embarked on
HMAT A31 Ajana on 4 June 1915 with C Section, 6th Field Ambulance.
He served on Gallipoli and in France, where he transferred to the 12th Field Ambulance (3352) and was promoted to Sergeant. He was awarded the Military Medal, gazetted 18 June 1917, the citation read:
'He was in charge, of a Bearer Sub-division at R.A.P. C.9.d. working to C.14.d. and was in action from 7th to 13th April 1917 inclusive. By his personal conduct and gallantry under heavy shell fire, he set an excellent example to his men, besides being fearless he was indefatigable.' He was awarded a Bar to his Military Medal, gazetted 4 February 1918, the citation for this read:
'In the Zonnebeke area, east of Ypres, at 6 pm on 13 October 1917 when there was a slight congestion at an R.A.P. he showed remarkable initiative in organising and distributing squads of stretcher bearers under a heavy enemy bombardment. By his personality he encouraged the bearers to continue carrying long after they had become exhausted. He was largely responsible for the successful evacuation of the wounded under the conditions of extreme difficulty. His fearless conduct under heavy shell fire is deserving of the highest praise.' His school compatriot, as well as being in the same Field Ambulance (3352), Private
Norman Sadler MM (1895-1916) was killed near Contalmaison on 30 August 1916.
Malcolm, took leave to Paris from 26 January to 2 February 1918, then to Nice from 2 to 16 March 1918. He returned to Australia on HMAT Runic, embarking on 27 April 1919.
He died on 30 October 1961.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 246 (citing Pegasus; National Archives).