Henry Glen Malcolm (abt. 1893 - abt. 1973)

Born about 27 Jul 1893 in Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Dorothy Isabel (Bowman) Malcolm — married 11 Oct 1922 in St Mary's Church, Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia

This is a preliminary draft and the information should only be used with caution

War Service Record
MALCOLM, Henry Glen Roy

RAN Born 27 July 1893 at Wallaroo, South Australia.
Son of James MALCOLM & Margaret nee JONES
Returned to Australia.

1914
How New Guinea was Captured – Roy Malcolm
Mrs. Weidenhofer, of Albany, has received a letter from her brother, Mr. Roy Malcolm, on H.M.A.S. Yarra, in which he gives a long account of their taking German New Guinea on September 11.
He writes:
Thirty-five .men, comprising five bluejacket from the Yarra, five from the Warrego, and 25 naval reserves from Sydney, landed at Herbertshohe at 6 a.m., with orders to capture the wireless station.

I was one of the Yarra's five and was in the fighting line from start to finish. On landing we searched all houses and stores about the shore. We captured some native guides, and made them show us the way to the wireless station. We formed a firing line of about 12 men, the remainder acting as scouts. I was a scout, and knew my duty was important.

After marching two hours we were fired on by the enemy about 8.30 a.m., and then I found they were firing at four of the scouts, I being one. Their bullets found the trees near me, and all took cover. The enemy firing; were hidden above in trees. We received orders to advance in firing line, and we then found that our guides had led us into a trap, and we were surrounded by the enemy. By this time we had reached a trench and took cover by the road side, and were in this position when one of our men made a capture.

A German scout was about to set off a mine, when he was shot, and from this time matters looked very serious. Now blood was shed; shots rang out on all sides of us as the enemy was closing in all around, and every moment I expected them to charge over our trenches. We .knew our position, and were determined to do our duty and fight to the last.

In the meantime one of our men had ridden a horse (one used for carrying medical gear back to the shore with tidings of our position, and every available man from the destroyers; also about 200 soldiers from the troopship came to reinforce. As soon as we heard their cheers it put new heart into us, and we at once advanced, fearing nothing.

At this moment our leader, Lieut. Bowen, a good and true officer, was shot through the -head. He fell a few yards from me. There, was no one to lead now, and we continued to advance, and very soon the reinforcements arrived. The Germans, seeing we were too good for them, retired to their, trenches in double time. .Just here an A.B., named Grimshaw, and I captured a German scout. He was in a hole about 5ft. deep, under the branches of trees. Soon after this Lieut. Elwell one of the leaders of the reinforcements, and a fine man, was shot and fell dead. More injuries followed. Two naval reserves, one named Courtney, were killed. The doctor, Captain Pockley, while attending to a German soldier, who was hurt, was shot and died next day Williams, the doctor's assistant, was also shot.

The Germans had no respect for the Red. Cross. The Germans afterwards seeing the case against them, hoisted the white flag and you know, what followed. We marched back to the ships at about 6 p.m., carrying the dead and wounded. The wound were removed to the hospital ship, Grantala. Our losses were seven killed and four wounded. The enemy lost over 30 killed and more wounded, but they like to hide their losses.

Next day we returned and captured the wireless station. without much more resistance. During the week the Governor finally surrendered everything, and now the island belongs to the British Empire. The Yarra was in company with the AE1 the day before she was lost. A chum of mine, A.B. Jarman, was lost in her. It must be an awful shock to the relations of the 34 brave men who were lost.

The Malcolms are an old Wallaroo family. Roy Malcolm holds the championship of the navy for swimming, and is one of the champion gun crew of the Australian Navy. He was born at Wallaroo, and educated at the Wallaroo Public School. Albany Advertiser - Wednesday 18 November 1914

1917
Mr. Malcolm's son, Roy, who is also in the navy; serving on one of the Australian Destroyers writes on the date of Jane 1st:
We are going on a long voyage, many thousand miles way, if you do not receive any letter do not worry. Whatever is coming we are ready for it.
The Kadina and Wallaroo Times - Saturday 7 July 1917

1918
A Wallaroo Boy in France. – Roy Malcolm
The following interesting letter, dated “Genoa, September 24, 1918” was recently received by Mr. Jas. Malcolm, of Wallaroo; from" his son Roy, who is serving on, one of the Australian Destroyers, and who obtained leave for the purpose of seeing his brother Harold in France. Unfortunately it was impossible for the brothers to meet.
The young soldier, among other things says:
I suppose you will be surprised to known that I have been to Paris and also visited the Western frontier; let me relate my experiences from beginning to end.

I left Genoa last Tuesday, September 17th, at 6 p.m., by train for Paris. I travelled the long route, via Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Marseilles, and Lyons, then to Paris, arriving there, .at 3 p.m. Thursday 19. All of these cities are beautiful places especially Nice and Monte Carlo; the scenery en route is also glorious.

On arrival at Paris I rode about the main, city in a taxi and inspected the city externally! it is really "gay Paris." I walked, about the streets during evening, meeting hundreds of Australian soldiers, and had a lovely time; also made enquiries about visiting the Frontier, and got what I sought.

Next morning, Friday, at 8 a.m., I left Paris from Ammiens, for the purpose of visiting the front and seeing Harold. Arrived at Amiens about 11 a.m., and working on information received, I caught a motor lorry which took me within 15 miles of where Harold's brigade was camped. I got off at this1 point and walked the 15 miles: over the battlefield of France. It was a, great experience. I saw the ground where the Australians recently advanced and I cannot describe my feelings at this time. Can you imagine me inspecting the battlefield that my brother has been fighting on?

I cannot relate everything to you that I, saw, but will have a lot-to tell when I come home. I walked for a long way along the Somme, and at last arrived at the spot where Harold's Battalion was camped. My excitement now was most intense, because I thought I was just about to give my brother a great surprise; but I was greeted with a disappointment; because on enquiring, at Battalion headquarters, I found out that Harold had been drafted to Le-Havre. All my hopes were dashed to the ground and I nearly cried, but remembered that I was a son of the sea, on land among brave men.

The officers of Harold's Battalion spoke well of him, and told me I could well afford to be proud of such a fine brother. I met Hurtle McKee, from Wallaroo, Jackson from Kadina, and several other boys I knew. "They are going to write to Harold and tell him that I visited the lines. Hurtle McKee is also writing home: he is looking well. After having a long chat with the boys I visited the front, and saw our artillery in action, they were giving Fritz "hell."

It was very dangerous here, so I was not allowed to remain long. This battle scene was a magnificent sight, and I feel proud that I was an Australian. I should like to give .you a full description of everything I saw, but afraid it would be breaking regulations, so will save it up until I come: home.

I returned to Amiens late that night after many strange adventures, some of the places I visited at the front were Villers Bretonieux, Bray, Cappy, Perrone, Mont, St. Quentin, and several villages beyond Mons and St. Quentin. I spent a night at Amiens and returned to Paris next day, where I made some more enquiries about Harold and found out that it was impossible for me to go to Le-Havre to see him, because I had only another two days in Paris: so I did the next best thing and wrote him a long letter. I was very disappointed at not seeing Harold, but better luck next time. We shall all meet, in Australia after the war, if not before.

Last Saturday and Sunday I spent in visiting beautiful Paris and had a glorious time. Have bought lots of fine photo etc., and have a real good collection of the different places I have, visited. I left Paris last Sunday night, 8.30 p.m. .and travelled to Genoa by cross country route, calling at Modena and Turin. I had to break-the journey !at Torino and stay there one night; this is a. beautiful Franco-Italian city. I eventually arrived at Genoa at 12 noon, today, feeling very tired after my short and adventurous across-continent trip. It has been just like a dream; first a beautiful train ride among lovely scenery, then gay and famous cities, the gruesome battlefield, a disappointment, and then another beautiful train journey across France and Italy.
The Kadina and Wallaroo Times - Saturday 4 January 1919

Newspaper articles downloaded from the National Library of Australia’s TROVE web site. Copyright has expired.

This is a works in progress and any assistance with information or source details would be very much appreciated.

Event

He was a crew member on the HMAS Sydney when the Emden was destroyed.

Source

• Information from research and family members.
  

South Australian Genealogy Index of Birth, Death and Marriage.
Birth
Date: 1893 - Name: MALCOLM Henry Glen Roy - Father: James MALCOLM - Mother: Margaret JONES - District: Daly - Reference No.: 527/54
Marriage
Date: 1922 - Reference No.: 293/125 - Name: MALCOLM Henry Glen Roy - Spouse: BOWMAN Dorothy Isabel - District: Daly
Newspaper Death Notice
Newspaper: Advertiser - Name: MALCOLM Henry Glen Roy - Year: 1973
Link to Index
South Australian Genealogy Index of Birth, Death and Marriage.
https://www.genealogysa.org.au/resources/online-databases.html

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