[ H. H. L. Malcolm, as Lieutenant-Colonel, 2nd Cameron Highlanders. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Huntly Malcolm') to G. J. S. Scovell, discussing his desire for an exchange from the first battalion, and his own polo accident.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly aged paper. He begins by telling him that there is 'no chance of an exchange to this Battalion, all were asked lately and said they did not wish to exchange to the 1st Battn.' He suggests that Scovell's 'best chance' is to 'fill a vacancy caused by a Promotion', in which case he may be 'brought in instead of their gazetting a youngster to us'. He next turns to his polo accident, a 'bad one': 'my Pony turned a summersault [sic] on me and then rolled back over me, I fell on my head and was insensible for about 12 hours and not fully reasonable for about 3 or 4 days'. He describes his continuing symptoms, adding that he 'must have had a good mauling, tho' nothing was broken'. Returning to the question of the exchange, he states that he has discussed the matter with 'General Campbell the father of C. F. F. Campbell', who had been 'asking for an exchange for his sis son from 2nd. Battn. to the 1st. Battn. on account of his weak eyes', but 'nothing would induce' the son to leave the first battalion. In a postscript he informs him that he has written to 'Ewert' recommending a transfer for Scovell, explaining why he thinks it is 'important to have an official in too'. Malcolm's entry in Who Was Who describes his military service: 'Entered army, 1879; 2nd Lieut 42nd Royal Highlanders, 1879; Lt Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1880; Major, 1897; Lt-Col 1902; served Egypt, with Cameron Highlanders, 1882, including Tel-el-Kebir (twice wounded, medal with clasp, Khedive's star); Nile expedition, 1884-85, Staff-Captain with whaler boats (clasp); South African War, 1899-1902 (despatches twice, DSO, medal with four clasps, King's medal with two clasps); commanded Seaforth and Cameron Territorial Brigade, 1906-11; ORC District, 1911-13; commanded troops in Ceylon, 1913-15; commanded Brigade British Expeditionary Force, 1915; Town Major, France, 1917; retired (for age), 10 Dec. 1917.' See also Malcolm's obituary in The Times, 13 December 1938, and Scovell's, 29 April 1948, with his own entry in Who Was Who.…