Melvin, William Simpson (1897 - 1918)

Second Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade

Buried at Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension

Commemorated at Bellahouston Academy Roll of Honour

William was the only son of Mr and Mrs William Melvin, Oakdene, Sherbrooke Avenue, Pollokshields, Glasgow.

He was an apprentice engineer with Messrs James Howden & Co., Ltd.

After being refused admission to several local Battalions on account of his youth, he joined the Cameron Highlanders in September 1914 and was promoted sergeant while still only 17 years old. He volunteered for service in France in 1916 and fought in the Somme Battle. Invalided home with dysentery, he was, on his recovery, gazetted to the Rifle Brigade in 1917. Early in 1918 he transferred to the Royal Air Force, went to France in April and gained his wings at the front.

His gallantry won him unstinted praise from his brother officers. A short time before his death he engaged eight German machines. His own machine was destroyed but he succeeded in carrying his injured companion to a British dressing station.

He was killed in action on 23rd August 1918 at the age of twenty-one.