MELVILLE Hamilton

8/3006, Private, 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 30 October 1918, p12853

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  Prior to an attack he assisted to locate the enemy’s positions with great accuracy by frequent patrols.  During our advance he rushed an enemy machine gun that was causing delay, killing five of the team single-handed and taking a prisoner.  His conduct throughout was marked by conspicuous gallantry and initiative.

Military Medal

Gazetted 13 September 1918, p10779, Rec No 2167

Operations: on the British front east of Hebuterne – 14 May 1918.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  This man was one of a patrol of four men, under Sergeant TRAVIS, which went out in broad daylight and captured an enemy machine gun post; although their Battalion was in support these men volunteered to go out and secure identification, which was urgently required.  They left our front line about 7.15pm and by skilful use of the ground they crept up to the enemy post unobserved, and, disposing themselves very cleverly, completely surprised  the enemy post of seven Germans.  The officer of the post showed fight and was shot; the connection in the post aroused a neighbouring post who rushed down the sap to the aid of their comrades, firing at the patrol who were conducting the prisoners to our lines; two prisoners being thus shot by their own comrades.  The above was carried out in a most daring manner, and the men concerned showed courage of a very high order.  The patrol was subjected to heavy machine gun fire on withdrawing from the enemy post and were sniped at from all sides.  This man has done much good work on patrol and has always set an example of courage and devotion to duty.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Military Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 2 May 1895, Bengal, India

Died 16 May 1946, Dunedin, New Zealand

Buried Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, New Zealand (Block 4SF, Plot 8)

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT