John Melrose

John Melrose (Service No 2460) was born in Grahamstown, Gundagai, NSW in April 1887.  John married his wife Ruby early in 1916.

At the time of enlistment he was married, 29 years of age, employed as a platelayer and had listed his wife Ruby at Wollongong Police Centre as next of kin.

John embarked on HMAT A60 - Aeneas with 54th Battalion, 5th Reinforcements on 30 September 1916 arriving in England on 19 November 1916. 

John joined the 54th Battalion, D Company, 15 platoon in France on 16 February 1917.  On 8 June 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal.  John was awarded the Military Medal on 9 July 1917 and then promoted to Corporal on 4 October 1917.

On 19 April 1918, John was with the 54th Battalion, in reserve, at Villers-Bretonneux, France when he was gassed.  John was evacuated to 5th General Hospital for treatment but died on 24 April 1918.

John is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France - Block P, Plot IX, Row D, Grave 1B

The recommendation for his Military Medal reads: 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 MELROSE 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 other men. Commonwealth Gazette 8th November 1917.