| Regimental number | 2460 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Grahamstown, via Gundagai, New South Wales |
| School | Grahamstown and Adelong Public Schools, New South Wales |
| Other training | He was working as an employee of the railway when he enlisted, but information given by his wife via the Roll of Honour Circular indicates that he also had training as a school teacher. |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Plate layer |
| Address | Gemalla, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 29 |
| Height | 5' 6" |
| Weight | 158 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Ruby Stella Melrose, Police Depot, Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 54th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/71/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 54th Battalion |
| Fate | Died of wounds |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 31 |
| Place of burial | St. Sever Cemetery Extension (Block P, Plot IX, Row D, Grave No. IB), Rouen, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 159 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Son of John and Jessie Melrose; Husband of Ruby S. Melrose of 'Osterley', 37 Osborne Road, Manly, New South Wales |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'In the attack on this Battalion sector on 15.5.1917, in front of REINCOURT, Private MELROSE jumped over the parapet with a supply of bombs and bombed the enemy bombers out of a position on the right flank. The Lewis Gun, of which private MELROSE was No. 1, was temporarily out of action at the time. The example of Private MELROSE opened the way for other bombers to follow. Private MEROSE also volunteered for and performed good work in bombing down a sap, at that time held by the enemy. His influence proved a splendid incentive to the other men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Sydney, 30 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 19 November 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 21 December 1916; taken on strength, 54th Bn, 16 February 1917. Promoted Lance Corporal, 8 June 1917. Awarded Military Medal, 9 July 1917. Sent for training in England in early 1918, he rejoined his unit on 12 April 1918. Wounded in action, 19 April 1918 (gassed), and admitted to 55th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 5th General Hospital, Rouen, France. Died of wounds, 24 April 1918. His personal effects were among the 5500 packages (comprising the personal effects of over 5000 soldiers) lost when the HMAT 'Barunga' was lost by enemy action at sea. The loss of the 'Barunga' was the only instance in which any personal effects of deceased members of the AIF were lost in transit to Australia. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, MELROSE John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
