Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 4613    Session 16 (9:30am Friday 3rd August)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $1,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,000

PAIR WITH MID TO NURSE: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID. S-Nurse. E.C.Melville. A.I.F. Both medals impressed. Display mounted, very fine.

Together with small silvered Rising Sun badge by K.G.Luke, Melbourne, with pin back; Australian Army Nursing Service embroidered sleeve badge.

MID: LG 5/6/1919, p7228; CAG 6/10/1919, p1467. Also Military Order 492 11/10/1919 - by Lt-Gen Sir G.F.Milne KCB, KCMG, DSO, C-in-C of British Salonika Force, 'for distinguished and gallant services in Salonika during the period 1st October 1918 to 1st March 1919.'

Ellen (Lenny) Christina Melville, nurse at Melbourne Hospital, age 29, born at North Carlton, Melbourne, Vic; Enl.02Jun1917 at Melbourne, Vic; Emb.12Jun1917; Disemb.19Jul1917 at Suez; to Salonika and Disemb.30Jul1917 and posted to 66th General Hospital; Emb.24Jan1919 for England and attached 3Aust Aux Hosp; RTA 19Jun1919 and Disemb.05Aug1919; Disch.04Oct1919.

It was reported that during the Bulgarian offensive on the Salonika Front (AKA the Macedonian Front) Nurse Melville went out and helped to bring in the wounded, tending them under fire. One of Nurse Melville's brothers enlisted in the first week of the war and was killed at the Gallipoli landing. Another brother, Major A.H.Melville, on his return was appointed District Medical Officer, Repatriation Department, Brisbane, Queensland. On her return from the war Nurse Ellen Melville was placed on the staff of Caulfield Hospital. She married Chris Moller, a sick digger she had nursed after the war. Their daughter, Jean Moller, became a nurse and served in this capacity with the RAAF in World War II. Ellen (Lenny) Christina Moller (nee Melville) died in September 1972 and was buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria.

Ellen Melville was the daughter of John Melville (1856-1943). He played in the First Eleven as wicket keeper for Carlton in the 1870s and also represented his club in football. He was on the committee of both clubs and was General Manager/Secretary from 1892 to 1895 and again in 1901 of Carlton Football Club and Secretary of Carlton Cricket Club from 1909 to 1939. He was one of the founders of the Victorian Football League and a delegate to Victorian Cricket Club.

With copy of Service File and other research.