Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Published Biography

Biography - Alexander Clifford Vernon Melbourne by Malcolm I. Thomis
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/

Additional Biography

Early Life

Alexander was born on 10 June 1988 to parents William Clifford Melbourne (1864 – 1924) and Elizabeth Agnes Braidwood (1862 – 1961) SA Birth Registration 419/368) at Hackney. His siblings were Henry Eoin Sydney (1893 – 1978) and sister, Julia Aileen (1895 – 1980) - See Appendix 1 - Family Tree.

Alexander’s father, a printer by trade, was active in Union activities and an early member of the South Australian Labor Party. He was on the Board of the Children’s Hospital and on the Board and one time President of the Workers Education Association. He was also active in Church affairs.

Schooling

In 1900 Alexander was attending Sturt Street School, Adelaide and won an exhibition (scholarship) which assisted his studies at Norwood District School in 1901 (where he again won an exhibition). Alexander then attended the Student Teacher School (later became Adelaide High School in 1908) where he passed his Junior Examinations in 1902. Alexander was a Pupil Teacher at Unley in 1905 and he was in the Cadet Corps from at least 1906, when he was a Lieutenant on probation.
University

In 1908 Alexander, aged 20, commenced studying toward his Bachelor of Arts at Adelaide University; he also passed Arts Examinations that year. In October 1910, Alexander wrote to the University Council suggesting that a University Regiment be formed. He won the Tinline Scholarship in 1908 and the History Prize in 1910. Alexander graduated with first class honours in 1910.
University Sport

Rifle
Alexander shot for the Adelaide University Rifle Club and in June 1910 he represented the University at the Inter-collegiate completions in 1910 and 1912.

Cricket

Alexander represented the University in the B Grade District Cricket competition during the 1910/11 season. He had 8 innings, total runs 102, highest score 37, average 12.7 and took 6 wickets at an average of 10.6.

Early Teaching Career

In November 1911 Alexander was appointed to teach at the Norwood District High School. This was followed by an appointment to Nailsworth in June 1912. In February 1913 Alexander accepted an appointment to lecture at the Queensland University.

World War I

Alexander enlisted on the 23rd of August 1914. His war experience is best read in his own words in the newspaper article below.

Capt. A.C.V. Melbourne was wounded twice at Gallipoli and returned to Australia in November 1915.

Family Life

Alexander married Nellie Lowenthal on the 20th of November 1916, at St Mary’s Church, Kangaroo Point. The couple were frequently in the Brisbane papers attending social events such as the races. The couple did not have children.

Alexander’s father William Clifford Melbourne died in December 1924 (see Appendix 2 – Obituary). His mother passed away in 1961 at the age of 99.

Later Career

Further biographical particulars for Alexander are in the “Who’s Who in Australia 1938’, Xth edition, Edited by Joseph A. Alexander, article (see document).

Death

Alexander died on 7 January 1943 and was cremated with Congregational forms. His wife survived him, passing away in 1954. They rest together at Mt. Thompson Memorial Gardens, Holland Park West, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.

Note – Biographies for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project were written in the period 2015-2019. Any references to the website
https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au were correct at the time of writing, but are now redundant. The reader should look for the equivalent or updated information on the Virtual War Memorial Australia at https://vwma.org.au/