Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

12307 Private Melville Adrian Graham, 10th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps AIF, died of sickness 9th March, 1917.

Melville enlisted in February 1916, at 25 years of age, in the prime of his life. He was well known Muckatah footballer. A farmer living in Yarroweyah, Graham was 175 cm tall and weighed 77 kilos, with dark hair and brown eyes. Mel was given a big send off to the war in Katunga, where he was presented with a wristlet watch before he left for overseas.

Mel Graham arrived in England during July 1916, and wrote a letter home describing all the sights he saw in London, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Tower, and Madame Toussard’s, etc. The tourist attractions have not changed much in 100 years. He was more interested in the fact that there were no horses, nearly all taxis and buses, “it is all petrol over here.”

He was a stretcher bearer in the 10th Field Ambulance and did not get to see much fighting, but fell ill in England with pleurisy during late 1916. Despite the best efforts of doctors, he died of his illness and other complications at the Australian Military Hospital just west of London in March 1917.

12307 Private Adrian Melville Graham 10th Field Ambulance AIF was buried with full military honours, in a small English churchyard, complete with a service, band, gun carriage and firing party. Members of the AIF formed a guard of honour and a bugler sounded the last post, however he was a long way from home and it was noted that no relatives were present. His parents, John and Annie Graham received his effects a few weeks later, including his ring, wristlet watch and identity discs

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date – 9th March …… Melville Adrian Graham was born at Cobram, Victoria in 1889 to parents John Alexander Graham & Annie Graham  (nee Fields) (Melville stated on his Attestation Papers that he was born near the town of Numurkah, Victoria)

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 25th February, 1916 as a 25 year old, single, Farmer (as listed on Embarkation Roll, however on “Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force” form he recorded his occupation as Farm Labourer) from Yarroweyah South, Victoria.

Private Melville Adrian Graham, Service number 12307, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Wandilla (A62) on 6th June, 1916 with the 10th Field Ambulance, A.M.C. (Army Medical Corps). He was admitted to Ship’s Hospital on 14th June, 1916 with Measles & was discharged on 23rd June, 1916. Private Graham was re-admitted to Ship’s Hospital on 8th July, 1916 with Influenza & was discharged on 13th July, 1916. He disembarked at Plymouth, England on 27th July, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

He was admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, Wiltshire on 16th November, 1916 with V.D. Private Graham was discharged on 15th January, 1917. Total Days V.D. 61.

On 22nd February, 1917 Private Graham was admitted to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield – seriously ill.

Private Melville Adrian Graham died on morning of 9th March, 1917 at 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield Park, Harefield, Middlesex, England from Pleurisy and Complications (as listed on Field Service – Report of Death of a Solder – Army Form B 2090, however another Report of Death of a Solder – Army Form B 2090 (Not for Field Service) recorded the death as “Primary Tubercle Lung & Peritoneum. Secondary, Exhaustion & Heart Failure”).

He was buried in St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Harefield, Middlesex, England where 112 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/d---g2.html