William James Melbourne
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born in 1872 at Stoke on Trent and although not a native of Arnold, had resided for many years in Daybrook at 4 Bell's Terrace Portland Street. He married Margaret Elizabeth Rowland in 1903 at Pontefract, they lived at 33 Surgeys Lane Arnold, they had six children - William James b1904, Mary Ann b1906, George Henry b1909, Margaret Elizabeth b1911, Sidney Rowland b1914 and Lily Melbourne b1917. In the 1911 census the family are living at Bell Terrace, Portland Street, Daybrook and are shown as William James Melbourne 36 yrs a coal miner at coal face, he was living with his wife Margaret 33 yrs and their children, William James 6 yrs, Mary Ann 4 yrs and George Henry 2 yrs of age. Following his death his widow Margaret was awarded a pension of 33 shillings and 9 pence a week which commenced on 30th July 1917.
Driver William Melbourne had previously served in the Boer War of 1899-1902, and during the campaigns of 1914/15 he was wounded in France. On recovering from these wounds he was posted to serve in Salonika and subsequently was moved to Egypt from which country he was invalided home and became an in patient at Runcorn Hospital where he died. He was given a military funeral at Redhill Cemetery Arnold. His coffin which was of oak fitted with brass furniture, was conveyed on a gun carriage and covered with the Union Flag. The military bearer party was provided by The Sherwood Foresters and came from their Depot at Derby. At the conclusion of the service at the cemetery, conducted by Mr S. Dove, buglers sounded the 'Last Post'.
He is buried at Arnold Redhill Cemetery CWGC incorrectly cites 46 as Melbourne's age at death and his declared age of 36 on the 1911 Census was also inaccurate. His birth was registered O/N/D/1872. David Nunn
