MELVILLE, John
| Service Number: | 2698 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 30th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Byers Green, Spennymoor, Durham, England, December 1872 |
| Home Town: | Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Jesmond, New South Wales, Australia, 19 October 1940, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW Methodist 4-13. 67. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2698, 30th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 30th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 2698, 30th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Sydney | |
| 13 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2698, 30th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
Help us honour John Melville's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served during The Great War, now resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
81 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 21st October 1940, Private John Melville, also known as Mackie or Macky, 30th Battalion (Reg No-2698), miner (New Lambton Colliery), from Nerong Road, Lambton, New South Wales and 14 Robert Street, Jesmond, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 68. METHODIST 4-13. 67.
Born at Byers Green, Spennymoor, Durham, England about 1872 to ? and Mary Melville (Mrs. T Smith), John enlisted August 1915 at Liverpool, N.S.W.
Wounded in action - 25.10.1917 (GSW right knee).
John returned home February 1919, being discharged medically unfit on the 13th April 1919.
Mr. Melville’s name has been inscribed on the Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Lambton Park Citizens' Memorial Gates (photos, unveiled on the 12th April 1919, 140 names inscribed, 27 Fallen) and the Lambton/New Lambton Municipal District Roll of Honor.
I located John resting in an unmarked grave, now long forgotten, so December 2018 I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service.
I submitted an application to DVA April 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but unfortunately still waiting for a decision.
Younger brother Private James Lonsdale White (34th Battalion, Reg No-2679, born 1880, Waratah, N.S.W., KIA 7.7.1917, Battle of Messines) also served 1st A.I.F.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.