Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Belfast (1277 Pte. W. W. Melville, C.I.V.) good very fine £400-500

William Woodfall Melville was born on 2 April 1877, at Hartfield Grove, Sussex. He served in the South African War with the C.I.V. Mounted Infantry, receiving the Queen’s medal with six clasps, and being given the freedom of the City of London on his return. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1905, and was one of the Principal Clerks in the Chancery Registrar’s Office, Royal Courts of Justice. He volunteered at the outbreak of the war and was given a commission as Lieutenant in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, on 1 November 1914. He was killed in action at Richebourg, St Vaast, Flanders, whilst leading his men in the attack near Festubert on the 9th May 1915. Lieutenant Melville was a member of the Caledonian, M.C.C., and Queen’s Clubs, was a keen cricketer and football player, and fond of shooting, tennis, and all sports. He married in 1910, Violet, widow of Lieutenant R. J. Jelf, R.E., and daughter of General Sir Richard Harrison, G.C.B., of Ashton Manor, Devon.