Malcolm Joseph Clow AM

Rank:Surgeon Lieut.
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:Royal Navy
Name of Rgt or Ship:H.M.S. Victory
Died:11/02/1945Age:30
Country of burial:AustraliaGrave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Sydney Cemetery
Town Memorial:Hale
Extra Information:
Born during the December quarter 1914 in the Aston R.D. - ref: 6d/783, the
son of John Percy & Eva Mary Clow.

Attended Altrincham Grammar School.   He was a local Scout Master.  He was
a Cambridge University half blue for swimming and water polo.   
Qualifications included - M.A.,M.D., B.Ch.    Worked at Manchester Royal
Infirmary and Crumpsall Hospital.

He was a member of Sale A.S.C., a Cheshire Junior Swimming Champion and a
star Cheshire County Water Polo player.

Listed as M.S. Clow on Hale United Reform Church Memorial.

The 30/04/43 edition of the local newspaper reports him being awarded the
Albert Medal.   This was the first Albert Medal ever to be awarded to a
member of the RN.

At 10.00 hrs on the 10th November 1942, Italian Heinkels attacked British
shipping in the Mediterranean 10 miles north of Algiers in position 36.55N
03.05E.   They dropped four torpedoes aimed at the RN Sloop "Ibis", The
"Ibis" managed to dodge three of them, but was hit near to the engine room
by the fourth.  The ship capsized and sank almost immediately.

Lt. Clow was in the sick bay when the torpedo struck, but he stayed there
attending to casualties until an engine room artificer was brought in - his
arms terribly burned.  Lt. Clow gave him morphine and then dragged him to
the upper deck.   Because the wounded man didn't have a life jacket, Lt.
Clow gave him his own and lowered him over the side into the sea and then
dived into the water himself without.   Lt. Clow swam for four hours before
being rescued.

His father was a Manchester Accountant.

His death was reported in the 23/02/1945 edition of the Sale & Stretford
Guardian.

Memorials found on:
Hale United Reformed
Altrincham Grammar School
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