KIA

click to enlarge
Headstone for Thomas's uncle
& grandfather at
Maddingley Cemetery
Courtesy of Carol & George Judkins.

Melville was born at Ballan, VIC in 1894 to Melville Smith and Diana McDonald. Melville had a brother, Thomas (KIA) and a cousin⁽²⁾, Gordon, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

Melville Mel was a grocer and gave his address as Nyah, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF on the 3^rd of August 1915, aged 21½. He was allocated to the 12^th Reinforcements, 8^th Battalion in November and embarked aboard the HMAT A40 Ceramic later that month, disembarking in Egypt some time later.

Melville spent two months in the 4^th Auxiliary Hospital suffering from mumps before embarking from Alexandria in late March 1916, disembarking at Marseilles, France in early April and joined his unit a month later. During the Battle of Pozieres Melville was killed in action.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered at the Nyah Memorial Gates and the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.

Notes

1. He is sometimes referred to as a Lance Corporal.
2. They are all grandsons of Tom Smith of pentland Hills.
   - The Bacchus Marsh Express 17 Jul 1915