Desmond Thomas Maloney was born in Harrow, Middlesex in 1917. He was the youngest of eight children who were brought up by their mother after Maloney’s father was killed in action in WW1. Desmond enlisted at the age of 18 and was sent to Tidworth where the 9th Lancers taught him to ride, one of the last troopers to pass out from the Riding School before the regiment was mechanised in the late 1930s. He was very athletic, excelling at hurdling, sprinting and long jump.
He played an important part in the North African campaign, as a fitter, repairing tanks and other vehicles. When the British were outsmarted by Rommel, and the 4th Armoured Brigade were overrun, the 9th Lancers saw continuous action from 27 May 1942. They were called upon to fill gaps between the 2nd and 3rd Armoured Brigades and assist the 3rd County of London Yeomanry and 10th Hussars at moments of confused and incessant fighting. Casualties were heavy and so many tanks were knocked out that the 9th Lancers role became crucial. They forced the German attack to pause but were subjected to a murderous fire.
Throughout this time, the need for tanks under fire to be quickly repaired was vital. Maloney, who remained with the tanks, was highly vulnerable in his lorry. In the most testing conditions, his determination and skill ensured that his squadron’s tanks remained in action. His courage under fire was, according to the citation for the Military Medal, an inspiration to all who saw it. He was later wounded at Koumine when a Tiger tank fired two high explosive shells, one of which almost severed his wrist. He was in agonising pain until a doctor could be found to pump him full of morphine.
Squadron Sergeant Major Maloney was not fit enough to return to active service, so was posted to RMA Sandhurst as an instructor, however, he managed to persuade an officer friend to get him on a ship to Naples were he was able to find his way back to the 9th Lancers. After the war he took part in operations against the Mau Mau in Kenya. For a while he was with an East African Armoured Regiment and given the task of escorting Jomo Kenyatta. He was then recalled to the 9th Lancers and appointed RSM.
On his retirement from the army he trained as a farm manager in Kenya then moved to Rhodesia to work in the Ministry of Agriculture. He also worked on a sugar estate in charge of a labour force of 8,000. He lived in Africa for 24 years before returning to the UK. Desmond Maloney died in October 2001 and his obituary was published in the Daily Telegraph on 25 Oct 2001. The photo was published with the obituary and shows him shortly after the war wearing the uniform of the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 9th Lancers, and his array of war medals including the Military Medal.
