Lieutenant William Woodfall Melville, “C” Company 6th Battalion, attached to the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, was born at Hartfield Grove, Hartfield on 2nd April 1877. He lived at Hartfield Grove and volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and was given a commission, as Lieutenant, in the 60th Rifles on the 1st November, 1914.. He was killed in action on 9th May 1915 at Richebourg, St. Vaast, Flanders, whilst leading his men in the attack near Festubert during the Battle of Aubers Ridge, age 38 and has no known grave and is listed on the Le Touret Memorial: Panel 32 and 33.
He was the son of Robert and Agnes Melville He was married to Violet S. (Jelf) Melville His pre-war occupation was as one of the Principal Clerks in the Chancery Registrar’s Office, Royal Courts of Justice. He had served in the South African War with the C.I.V. Mounted Infantry, receiving the Queen’s medal with six clasps, and being given the freedom of the City of London on his return.
Listed on the War Memorial in Hartfield and on the Memorial Cross, Portsmouth Cathedral.
