Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The February issue of the magazine has four pages on the life and career of Wing Commander Hugh Malcolm, who was decorated with the Victoria Cross (VC) for outstanding bravery in the skies during the Second World War.
Born in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Malcolm was commissioned into the RAF in December 1937. In May 1939, shortly before the outbreak of war, he was so badly injured in a crash during a practice flight that he was told he would never fly again.
Yet, he not only took to the skis again but he served with distinction during the war. He was awarded a posthumous VC for astonishing self-sacrifice on December 4 1942 in north Africa, in what some regarded as a near suicide mission such was the extent of the danger.
Malcolm, aged 25, and the crew from ten Blenheim aircraft were shot down by enemy fighters as they desperately sought to provide air support for troops on the ground. Malcolm was among those killed as his aircraft crashed and burst into flames.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past six years have been largely based on excerpts from his six books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes, Heroes of the Skies, Special Ops Heroes and Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II.
Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who has lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.
- Lord Ashcroft’s latest article appears in the February issue of Britain at War which is on sale now.
