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War Memorial
Australia

Duncan Beeby Melvin (1879–1940)

Gallipoli veteran of the 10th Battalion – wounded in action, medically discharged, and later recognised for his service

Early Life and Family

Duncan Beeby Melvin was born on 8 December 1879 in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of William Melvin (1836–1910) and Martha Ann Threadgold (1843–1923). The Melvin family was part of the early colonial population of South Australia, with strong connections to both Adelaide and Western Australia.

Duncan grew up in Adelaide among several siblings, including Margaret, Olive, Colin Douglas, and Frank Page Melvin. His upbringing reflected a working-class colonial environment, and as an adult he took up the trade of butcher, a common and essential occupation of the time.

Early Adult Life and Relationships

Prior to the First World War, Duncan’s personal life was complex. He formed relationships and had children before his later marriage, including:

Alfred Melvin (1903–1903)
May Pearl Melvin (1904–1905)
He married Ellen Purcell in 1906 in Broken Hill. Following her death in 1917, Duncan later married Edith Annie Reynolds on 13 February 1918 in Adelaide.

Records also suggest a relationship with Florence Idala Violet Young, with whom he had a son:

Duncan Beverley “Harry Collin” Melvin (1911–1942)

His life prior to enlistment shows a man navigating family responsibilities, loss, and changing circumstances.

Military Service

At the outbreak of war, Duncan enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 25 August 1914, aged 37. He joined the 10th Battalion, C Company, one of the first South Australian infantry units formed for overseas service.

Service Number: 565
Rank: Private
Occupation at enlistment: Butcher
Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Melvin, Northam, Western Australia
He embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Ascanius on 20 October 1914.

Gallipoli Campaign and Wounding

Duncan took part in the Gallipoli campaign with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

On 8 May 1915, during the early stages of the campaign, he was:

Wounded in action by shrapnel to the left elbow

He was evacuated from Gallipoli and admitted to:

2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester (16 May 1915)
Diagnosis: Shrapnel wound, left elbow
Approximately 30 days under treatment
He recovered sufficiently to be returned to duty in June 1915.

Ongoing Illness and Medical Transfers

Following his return, Duncan’s health deteriorated significantly. His service record reveals a continuous pattern of illness across multiple locations.

England (August 1915)

Hospitalised at Weymouth Military Hospital
Diagnosis: Inflammation of lymphatic glands
Returned to light duty

Gallipoli / Malta (October–November 1915)

Evacuated via hospital ship (Assaye)
Admitted to St David’s Military Hospital, Malta
Diagnosis: Gastritis
36 days under treatment

Egypt (1915–1916)

Duncan experienced repeated hospital admissions in:

Alexandria
Cairo
Helouan
Diagnoses included:

Renal colic (kidney/bladder stones)
Cystitis
Dysentery (confirmed July 1916)
Progressive debility

Medical certificates and transfer records show he was moved repeatedly between facilities due to ongoing illness.

Family Correspondence

Official A.I.F. letters to his mother in Northam, Western Australia, provide insight into his condition:

January 1916: Reported fit for active service after leaving Malta
July 1916: Reported hospitalised with dysentery
These letters demonstrate both the severity of his condition and the military’s communication with his family.

Disciplinary Record

Duncan’s record includes disciplinary charges, including:

Absence without leave (June 1916, Cairo)
Further offence in 1917
Punishments included detention and forfeiture of pay.

However, this must be considered alongside medical evidence. Notably, records state:

“Conduct while in hospital, good.”

These incidents occurred during prolonged illness, suggesting they were linked to his deteriorating physical condition rather than habitual misconduct.

Return to Australia and Discharge

19 September 1916: Arrived Fremantle
28 October 1916: Returned to Adelaide
Duncan was formally discharged from the A.I.F. on:

6 July 1917 – Adelaide

Reason:

Medically unfit

Disability: Cystitis and Debility

This confirms his condition was considered permanent and service related.

Post-War Life

Following his discharge, Duncan remained in South Australia. His later life appears to have been marked by ongoing personal and financial difficulties, including references to being reported missing and failing to maintain his wife.

These circumstances align with the long-term effects often experienced by returned soldiers suffering chronic illness.

Death

Duncan Beeby Melvin died on:

28 February 1940 at Prospect, South Australia

Aged 60 years

He was buried at:

West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide

Medals and Recognition

Duncan was entitled to:

1914–15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

In 1947, his widow Edith Annie Melvin applied for his Gallipoli Medallion, confirming his recognised status as a Gallipoli veteran and her continued identification as his lawful widow.

Sources & Evidence

National Archives of Australia – Service Record (B2455, MELVIN Duncan)

AWM Embarkation Roll – 10th Battalion
Hospital and medical records (England, Malta, Egypt)
Casualty and conduct sheets
A.I.F. correspondence to next of kin (1915–1916)
South Australian Birth, Marriage & Death indexes

West Terrace Cemetery records

Gallipoli Medallion application (1947)

Disclaimer

Duncan Melvin’s service record includes disciplinary entries; however, these occurred during a period of documented illness following his wounding at Gallipoli. His discharge was officially recorded as due to medical unfitness and not misconduct.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 16/04/2026