Charles Melvill participated in the First World War with the New Zealand Division and commanded infantry brigades on the Western Front.
13 Facts About Charles Melvill
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Charles William Melvill was born in Bournemouth, England, on 9 September 1878, the youngest son of Teignmouth Melvill.
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Charles Melvill's father was an officer in the British Army and served in the 24th Regiment of Foot.
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Charles Melvill was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts to save his regiment's colours after the Battle of Isandlwana, the first major engagement of the Zulu War.
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In 1907 Charles Melvill emigrated to New Zealand to take up farming in the Otago region but this new lifestyle transpired to only be for a few years.
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Charles Melvill was brigade major of the Auckland Infantry Brigade, a TF formation.
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In England attending the Staff College at Camberley when the First World War broke out, Charles Melvill returned to his former unit, the South Lancashire Regiment.
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Charles Melvill then served as brigade major for the Tay Defences from May to September 1915 before transferring to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which at the time was engaged in the Gallipoli campaign.
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Charles Melvill later commanded 2nd Infantry Brigade for a period of time before returning to his battalion.
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Charles Melvill was awarded the Distinguished Service Order at the end of the year.
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Charles Melvill was discharged from active duty in October 1919.
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Charles Melvill had served in this capacity for nearly 18 months when he suddenly died in Wellington on 15 September 1925.
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Charles Melvill's death was announced in the House of Representatives the same day.