Medal & Mortality index
The Victoria Cross Decoration was instituted January 29th, 1856, for the
purpose of signalising special individual acts of bravery. It may be conferred
on any rank. The Badge consists of a Bronze Cross patee with the Royal Crown in
the centre and underneath a scroll bearing the inscription '''For Valour." The
colour of the ribbon is red. :
MELLISH, Capt. the Rev. Edward Noel ... Chaplain to the Forces (R.A.C.D.)
ST. ELOI, FRANCE, 27th to 29th March, 1916. For most conspicuous bravery.
During heavy fighting on three consecutive days he repeatedly went backwards and
forwards under continuous and heavy shell and machine-gun fire, between our
original trenches and those captured from the enemy, in order to tend and rescue
wounded men. He brought in ten badly wounded men on the first day from ground
swept by machine-gun fire and three were actually killed while he was dressing
their wounds. The battalion to which he was attached was relieved on the second
day, but he went back and brought in twelve more wounded men. On the night of
the third day he took charge of a party of volunteers, and once more returned to
the trenches to rescue the remaining wounded. This splendid work was quite
voluntary on his part, and outside the scope of his ordinary duties.
[Gazetted 5th May, 1915