Pte 16924 John Edward Melvin

• Age: 36
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 14th February 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: F.5

John Edward was born on the 28th January 1879, the eldest of five children born to Robert Melvin and his wife Mary Ann (nee Cummins). He was baptised three days later on the 31st January 1879 at St Anthony's R.C. Church, Liverpool. His parents married in 1878 at St Peter's Church, Liverpool. 

In 1891 the family lived in a Court house in Burnet Street, Liverpool.

In 1901 they had moved to another court house - 8 House 11 Court, Slade Street, Liverpool and by this time John's father, Robert, had died and his widow was living with her daughter, Annie aged 20, and Joseph aged 12 years. The 1901 Census shows John Edward Melvin as a 22 year old printing machinist and one of four boarders at 27 Upper Beau Street, the home of Mary A. Anderson a 70 year old widow and her family. Declared in the household are her son Charles J.aged 26 and his wife Edith. Also their daughter Edith A. (Ada had married as "Edith" Kewn to Charles James Anderson in 1896, a seaman, his father Magnus (deceased). They had two children Edith Alexandra born in Liverpool in the December quarter of 1897 and Violet Isabel born in the December quarter of 1901).

Crew lists on the Cunarder's in 1896-1902 for Charles Anderson of 27 Upper Beau Street, then various addresses up to 1907

1903, address now 90 Claudia St

1904, address now 113 Everton Terrace

1907, address now 38 Lily Rd, Seaforth

Electoral Rolls for Charles James Anderson from 1901-1914 at 22 Lytton St

The 1911 Census shows Ada Anderson, married for 14 years and the mother of 6 children of which 4 survived, living at 22 Lytton Street with her 4 children - Edith (13), Violet (10), Nora (3) and Magnus (2). There is no UK death record for Charles James Anderson, it is likely that he died overseas and subsequent to that John Edward Melvin had a realtionship with Ada. The two children Nora Marie born in the March quarter of 1908 and Magnus born in the March quarter of 1909 and declared in the Census are John and Ada's children. (When Ada's daughter Edith married in 1916 she stated that her father Charles was deceased).   

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on the 04^th September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16924. He gave his age as 34 years 217 days, his occupation as Clerk and his next of kin as Mrs Mary Melvin (mother) of 22 Lytton Street, Everton. He was described as being; height 5' 9 1/2", weight 140 lbs, chest 36",  with a sallow complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. He stated his religion as Roman Catholic.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915, thus earning his three medals.

On 14^th February 1916, John was wounded in the field and died of his wounds that same day.

He now rests at Carnoy Cemetery, Grave F 5.

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 07th March 1916:

Private John.E.Melvin,of the 18th City Battalion,K.L.R. - the 2nd "Pals" - who resided at 22,Lytton-street,Everton-road,Liverpool,is the first member of the "Daily Post" and "Echo" staff  to fall at the front. He died of wounds received at the front in France. In his last letter home he spoke as follows of the position of himself and his comrades:-

"While we have been in the trenches this time, we have had our first real taste of the war. About six o'clock on the morning of my birthday the Germans started to send shells into our trenches, and they kept it up until one o'clock the next morning. During that time we lost a number of men,both killed and wounded, and i am sorry to say we lost out sergeant, one of the best fellows in the world, not to mention other good fellows. One bad case that touched me very much was a lad of about twenty years of age,with his leg shot off, crawling about cheering other poor fellows up.The Germans continued their bombardment till six o'clock the next morning,and they sent so many shells over to us that they thought they only needed to walk over to our trenches and find us lying at the bottom. Well, they came over in large numbers, shouting, 'Hoch, hoch,der Kaiser!' but those that got back went yelling. When daylight came we had a look at the Germans we had captured. They looked terrible. They were looked after just like our poor fellows; but i don't think they will live very long. One German-a fine fellow-i was very sorry for. He had about forty wounds on him. Another German kept saying, 'English very good; me fight for England.' Of course we don't trust any German, but if any of them live, I think they will always have kind regard for the 'Pals.' We gave them a good drink of rum, which warmed them up. We also treated them with the greatest respect." 

The personal items belonging to John were returned:- disc, clasp knife, spoon, pipe, tobacco pouch, diary, tooth brush, comb, metal wrist watch, manual, photos

His next of kin had been altered and was now shown as Ada Anderson (unmarried wife) 22 Lytton St, Liverpool. Children Nora, b.1907, Magnus 1908

Pension to mother Mrs (Mary Ann) Melvin 79 Gordon St, and Ada Anderson 22 Lytton St, Everton.

His service records show that there was some problem concerning the disposal of his effects and medals. In fact they were eventually sent to” Mrs Ada Anderson (Melvin)” but not until 1921 and even then with the proviso they were being sent “on the understanding you will surrender them to any person who may establish a prior claim to them”.

Although in her Sworn Declaration, Ada claimed that she was the widow of John Edward Melvin, it would appear that they lived together without ever marrying. In that declaration, Ada described herself as above, namely “Mrs Ada Anderson (Melvin)” and their children as Norah and Magnus Anderson (Melvin), and gave her address as 22 Lytton Street, the address John gave as that of his mother.

John is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Daily Post and Echo, Old Hall Street, Liverpool 

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 17 & 19

His mother Mary Ann Melvin of 54 Elias St, died in 1929 aged 69(?), she is buried at Ford Cemetery. The electoral rolls for her cease in 1929 at 79 Gordon Street.

Nora and Magnus Anderson are on 1939 register, 12-14 Cazneau St, Liverpool