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NX34711 - MELVILLE, William Sydney, Lt. Col.
Nominal Roll details
Military Cross (MC)
"On 15 January, 1942, Capt. Melville's Company
("D" Company) occupied the position to the left of the Battalion
base at GEMAS. It became necessary to deliver and attack on the
enemy's position with one Company (all that could be spared)
against superior numbers. Capt Melville's Company was detailed
for this attack and his organisation and method of carrying it
out showed skill above average.
From the zero hour till the enemy's position was
almost reached, Capt. Melville led his Company with bravery and
courage that was an example to all ranks. Just prior to reaching
the enemy's position he was severely wounded (as a result of
which he has since been returned to Australia) but despite such
wounds he continued to direct his Company by voice control until
such time as this was no longer possible. This voice direction
was carried out under heavy small arms fire and with Capt
Melville suffering considerable pain from his wounds. I have no
doubt that his direction of the attack by his voice very
materially affected the success of the minor operation, and his
brave action shows that he has courage and leadership far
beyond.
Subsequently, when being driven to the CCS in a
car, another severely wounded man also a passenger in the car,
haemorrhaged from a severed neck vein. Capt Melville held this
vein in his fingers during the whole car journey till medical
aid was reached, thereby saving the man's life. Several times
during this car journey the car was machine gunned by enemy
aircraft, receiving some 20 bullet holes on both sides of it.
I consider his bravery in continuing to direct
his company after being severely wounded as meriting reward, and
his action in preventing the haemorrhage of the wounded man in
the car a further proof of his courage and an indication that
although wounded his thoughts were only on his job and his men.
I recommend that he be awarded the Military
Cross."
(Source: 2/30 Bn.
Archives - originally transcribed from the
Diary of Brigadier D.S. Maxwell by The Army Museum Sydney
Foundation in 1998.)
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Last updated
31/08/2021 |
