Charles Melvin

He stormed the redoubt alone and brought back nine prisoners

Charles Melvin was a private in the 2nd Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), whose Victoria Cross recognized his conduct at Istabulat, Mesopotamia, on 21 April 1917. During the British advance north of Baghdad, his company came under intense fire near a Turkish redoubt. While the others waited for reinforcements, Melvin crossed the exposed ground alone and attacked the position.

### An assault at Istabulat

Melvin reached the enemy trench and fired into it, then jumped inside when its defenders continued shooting. His rifle was damaged, so he fought with his bayonet in his hand. The sudden attack drove most of the defenders toward a second line. Melvin disarmed eight unwounded soldiers and one wounded man, bound the wounded man’s injuries, and brought all nine prisoners back to a British officer. He then collected ammunition and returned to his platoon. The journey back took place under rifle, machine-gun and heavy artillery fire. His example helped steady and encourage the soldiers around him through the day’s fighting.

Born in Boddin, Forfarshire, in 1885, Melvin worked in Kirriemuir’s linen industry before enlisting in the Black Watch in 1907. He served in France and Mesopotamia and was wounded three times during the war. King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace in December 1919. After the war he returned to Kirriemuir, where he worked as a caretaker and died in 1941. He is commemorated in the town and at Kirriemuir Cemetery.

### Victoria Cross citation

“For most conspicuous bravery, coolness and resource in action. Pte. Melvin’s company had advanced to within fifty yards of the front-line trench of a redoubt, where, owing to the intensity of the enemy’s fire, the men were obliged to lie down and wait for reinforcements. Pte. Melvin, however, rushed on by himself, over ground swept from end to end by rifle and machine-gun fire. On reaching the enemy trench, he halted and fired two or three shots into it, killing one or two enemy, but as the others in the trench continued to fire at him, he jumped into it, and attacked them with his bayonet in his hand, as, owing to his rifle being damaged, it was not ‘fixed.’ On being attacked in this resolute manner most of the enemy fled to their second line, but not before Pte. Melvin had killed two more and succeeded in disarming eight unwounded and one wounded. Pte. Melvin bound up the wounds of the wounded man, and then driving his eight unwounded prisoners before him, and supporting the wounded one, he hustled them out of the trench, marched them in and delivered them over to an officer. He then provided himself with a load of ammunition and returned to the firing line where he reported himself to his platoon serjeant. All this was done, not only under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, but the whole way back Pte. Melvin and his party were exposed to a very heavy artillery barrage fire. Throughout the day Pte. Melvin greatly inspired those near him with confidence and courage.”

Published in the Fourth Supplement to the London Gazette, 26 November 1917, issue 30400.