Charles John Melliss
| Sir Charles John Melliss | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 12 September 1862 Mhow, British India |
| Died | 6 June 1936 (aged 73) Brockenhurst, Kent |
| Buried at | St. Peter's Churchyard, Frimley, Surrey |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Indian Army
|
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | Indian Staff Corps |
| Battles/wars |
Tirah Campaign War of the Golden Stool World War I |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Order of the Bath Order of St Michael and St George |
Major General Sir Charles John Melliss VC KCB KCMG (12 September 1862 – 6 June 1936) was a British military officer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Melliss was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. A staff officer in the Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I, he was captured after the Siege of Kut.
He was the son of Lieutenant-General George Julius Mellis, Indian Staff Corps and was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment in September 1882 but transferred to the Indian Army in 1884.
He served in East Africa 1895-1896 and on the North West Frontier of India 1897-98; operations in the Kurram Valley; Tirah 1897-98. Served with North Nigeria Regiment, West Africa 1898-1902 – Ashanti 1900 and the relief of Kumassi wounded four times, once severely. Served East Africa, 1902-04, where he was badly mauled by a lion in 1903. Commanded the 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force) 1906-10 and served on the North West Frontier operations (Zakka Khel) of 1908.
Promoted Major-General 19 March 1912.
He married in 1901 Kathleen, youngest daughter of General J. M. Walker, C.B.
Mellis was 38 years old, and a captain in the Indian Staff Corps, Indian Army, attached to the West African Frontier Force during the Third Ashanti Expedition when, on 30 September 1900 at Obassa, Ashanti , Captain Melliss gathered together a party of men and charged into the bush at the head of them, into the thick of the enemy. Although wounded in a hand-to-hand encounter, his bold rush caused panic among the enemy who were at the same time charged by the Sikhs.
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Wikipedia