Major. Melrose Holtam MAILER. M.C. – The Harrower Collection

11th FIELD AMBULANCE - 33rd BATTALION AIF.

Major: Melrose Holtam MAILER. M.C.

Born: 17th August 1893. Carlton, Victoria, Australia.

Married: 28th December 1921. Glencairn, Moreland, Victoria, Australia.

Wife: Millicent Mailer. nee: Turnbull. (1897-1983)

Died: 1967. Elwood, Victoria, Australia.

Father: Dr Melrose Mailer. (1861-1926)

Mother: Ada Sarah Mailer. nee: Holthom. (1865-1953)

INFORMATIONMelrose 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 attached to the 33rd Battalion an was their Medical Officer. Melrose was promoted to the rank 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

MILITARY CROSSCaptain: Melrose Holtom MAILER; Australian Army Medical Corp. Attached 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 conspicuous 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 stretcher bearers was very efficient. By his own gallant conduct and untiring efforts he set his stretcher bearers a splendid example.

London Gazette: 18th January 1918. Page 959 position 23.

Commonwealth Gazette: 23rd May 1918. page 1126 position 23.

Melrose returned to Australia on board the "Karowna" embarking from England on the 28th August 1919 and disembarked at Melbourne on the 23rd October 1919.

Family Information.Melrose was a single 22 year old Medical Practitioner from "Glencairn" Craig Rossie Avenue, Moreland, Victoria. His next of kin was his father who he lived with at "Glencairn". Melrose enlisted during World War 2 and served at Puckapunyal Army College in Victoria, service number VX133230 with the 2nd AIF..

The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria. Friday 31st March 1922.

MARRIAGES.

MAILER-TURNBULL. -On the 28th December 1921, at Glencairn, Moreland, Melrose Holtom, M.B., B,S., eldest son of Dr. Melrose Mailer, to Millicent, eldest daughter of the late William laurie Turnbull, consulting engineer, Glasgow, Scotland, and the late Mrs. Wm.' Lennox, Straiton, Ayrshire, N.B.

Trove Article

(BEAN; History of World War 1. vol V page 351)

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