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Melrose Holtam Mailer enlisted with the 11th Field Ambulance with the rank of Captain
on the 25th of October 1915 and left Melbourne on board HMAT A62 "Wandilla" on the 6th of
June 1916. Melrose was attatched to the 33rd Battalion an was their Medical Officer. Melrose
was promoted to therank of Major and returned to Australia on the 28th of August 1919.
Informant: Sergeant: 2432 Eric George SHELDON "We
were in billets in Villers-Brettoneux and ARKINS was hit by a piece of shell when in his
billet. I heard the shell burst and went in to the billet and found him unconscious.
Corporal: 3069 Henry Dayrell HERDSON C Coy, 12th Platoon, 33rd Battalion was under the same
blankets with Private: 3077 William Arnold ARKINS, and was not touched.
Fritz attacked that day and we had to go out, but I heard that ARKINS never regained consciousness
and died in the dressing station in Villers-Brettoneux of which Captain: Melrose Holtam MAILER,
Medical Officer 33rd Battalion was in charge. ARKINS as in C Company 12th Platoon, and
was a Lewis Gunner, and a very fine chap. He was a School Teacher at home, but I do not know
where I should think he was 30 or so.
11/12th October 1917
Captain: Melrose Holton MAILER; Australian Army Medical Corp. Attatched to the 33rd Battalion AIF.
From the night of the 11/12th till the 13/14th October 1917 near PASSCHENDAELE,
he distinguished himself by his conspicious courage and devotion to duty. The R.A.P. was on the
railway line which was continually under heavy shell fire. Regardless of all personal danger this
Officer attended the wounded in thr open. He worked for 48 hours under the most trying conditions.
He was always cheerful and patient and he displayed most sympathetic and keen interest in the
welfare of the wounded. He undoubtedly saved the lives of many men. His organisation of the streacher
bearers was very efficient. By his own gallant conduct and untiring efforts he set his strecher
bearers a splindid example.
London Gazette: 18th January 1918. Page 959 position 23.
Commonwealth Gazette: 23rd May 1918. page 1126 position 23.
Melrose was a single 22 year old Medical Practicioner from "Glencairn" Craig Rossie Avenue,
Moreland, Victoria. His next of kin was his father who he lived with at "Glencairn".
(BEAN; History of World War 1. vol V page 351)
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 30/10/2006.
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