Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Colour-Sergeant Tom Malone, London Rifle Brigade, late 4th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (5236 Sergt., 4th Bn. Rif. Brig.); 1914 Star (1173 Pte., 5/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1173 Pte., 5-Lond. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (447 C/Sgt., K.R. Rif. C.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (300718 Sjt., 5/Lond. R.) together with a fine Boer War presentation silver cigar case, hallmarked Birmingham 1899, the outer lid with monogram ‘TM’, the inner lid inscribed ‘Presented to Sergt. Maj. Malone, by the members of the L.R.B. forming the 2nd Contgt. of the City Imperial Volunteers, on their departure for South Africa, July 12th 1900’, nearly extremely fine (7) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Rifle Brigade and Affiliated Regiments from the collection formed by Michael Haines.

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M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War.’

Tom Malone enlisted, when not quite twenty years of age, in the old 42nd Foot (1st Battalion Black Watch), leaving as Lance-Corporal in July 1882, on being transferred to the Rifle Brigade. He went to India with the 4th Battalion in December 1886, as a Sergeant, saw service in Burma 1888-89, and promoted to Colour-Sergeant in April 1889. Returning to England in 1890, he served for a short while as Sergeant-Major of a composite Mounted Infantry company. He was posted to the London Rifle Brigade as Regimental Sergeant-Major in September 1897.

The following appreciation of Sergeant Malone appears in the regimental history: ‘Sergeant T. Malone, who came to the L.R.B. as Sergt.-Major in 1897 and gave up the post in 1904 on the termination of his engagement. He then became assistant secretary and did valuable work in that capacity for ten years. On the outbreak of war, he rejoined the service and went to France with the 1st Battalion as a rifleman, with the acting rank of Officers’ Mess Sergeant. There he remained until the summer of 1916, when in spite of his protests, he was sent home to help the training of recruits. Very shortly afterwards he was put in charge of the special N.C.O. class, and by precept and example, coupled with his good judgement of men, he was of the greatest help in that direction. He always refused further promotion, but served on until the Armistice. A fine soldier of the best possible type, absolutely selfless, and devoted to duty and the L.R.B., no record of the regiment would be complete without a special mention of his name, and he thoroughly deserved the Meritorious Service Medal granted to him at the conclusion of hostilities.’