Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30400, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30400/supplement/12330. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 871 Private Charles Melvin, Royal Highlanders (Kirriemuir). For most conspicuous bravery, coolness and resource in action on 21st April 1917 at Istabulat, Mesopotamia. Private Melvin's company had advanced to within fifty yards of the front-line trench of a redoubt, where owing to the intensity of the enemy's fire, the men were oblige to lie down and wait for reinforcements. Private Melvin, however, rushed on by himself, over ground swept from end to end by rifle and machine-gun fire. On reaching the enemy trench, he halted and fired two or three shots into it, killing one or two of the enemy, but as others in the trench continued to fire at him, he jumped into it, and attacked them with his bayonet in his hand, as, owing to his rifle being damaged, it was not “fixed.” On being attacked in this resolute manner most of the enemy fled to their second line, but not before Private Melvin had killed two more and succeeded in disarming eight unwounded and one wounded. Private Melvin bound up the wounds of the wounded man, and then driving his eight unwounded prisoners before him, and supporting the wounded one, he hustled them out of the trench, marched them in and delivered them over to an officer. He then provided himself with a load of ammunition and returned to the firing line where he reported himself to his platoon serjeant. All this was done, not only under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, but the whole way back Private Melvin and his party were exposed to a very heavy artillery barrage fire. Throughout the day Private Melvin greatly inspired those near him with confidence and courage.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30400, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30400/supplement/12330. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 871 Private Charles Melvin, Royal Highlanders (Kirriemuir). For most conspicuous bravery, coolness and resource in action on 21st April 1917 at Istabulat, Mesopotamia. Private Melvin's company had advanced to within fifty yards of the front-line trench of a redoubt, where owing to the intensity of the enemy's fire, the men were oblige to lie down and wait for reinforcements. Private Melvin, however, rushed on by himself, over ground swept from end to end by rifle and machine-gun fire. On reaching the enemy trench, he halted and fired two or three shots into it, killing one or two of the enemy, but as others in the trench continued to fire at him, he jumped into it, and attacked them with his bayonet in his hand, as, owing to his rifle being damaged, it was not “fixed.” On being attacked in this resolute manner most of the enemy fled to their second line, but not before Private Melvin had killed two more and succeeded in disarming eight unwounded and one wounded. Private Melvin bound up the wounds of the wounded man, and then driving his eight unwounded prisoners before him, and supporting the wounded one, he hustled them out of the trench, marched them in and delivered them over to an officer. He then provided himself with a load of ammunition and returned to the firing line where he reported himself to his platoon serjeant. All this was done, not only under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, but the whole way back Private Melvin and his party were exposed to a very heavy artillery barrage fire. Throughout the day Private Melvin greatly inspired those near him with confidence and courage.