Wilfred St Aubyn Malleson

Who was Wilfred St Aubyn Malleson?

Commander Wilfred St. Aubyn Malleson VC was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Born in Kirkee, India, he was 18 years old, and a Midshipman in the Royal Navy during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 April 1915 during the landing at V Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, Midshipman Malleson and three others of HMS River Clyde assisted the commander of the ship at the work of securing the lighters under very heavy rifle and Maxim fire. When the other midshipman with the party had failed, through sheer exhaustion to get a line from lighter to lighter, Midshipman Malleson swam with it himself and succeeded. The line subsequently broke and he afterwards made two further unsuccessful attempts at his self-imposed task.

He later achieved the rank of commander. He died at St Clement, Cornwall. His VC is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum, London.