Noel Mellish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Noel Mellish
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| Born | 24 December 1880 Barnet, London |
| Died | 8 July 1962 (aged 81) South Petherton, Somerset |
| Buried |
Weymouth Crematorium
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 |
| Rank | Chaplain |
| Unit | Royal Army Chaplains' Department |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Military Cross |
| Other work | Anglican priest |
Edward Noel Mellish (born December 24, 1880 – died July 8, 1962) was an English priest and soldier. He is famous for winning the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery given to British and Commonwealth soldiers. It is given for amazing courage when facing the enemy.
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Early Life and Service
Edward Noel Mellish was born on December 24, 1880. His birthplace was Oakleigh Park in Barnet, North London. His parents were Edward and Mary Mellish. He went to Saffron Walden Grammar School. After school, he joined the Artists Rifles. In 1900, he served in South Africa during the Second Boer War. He was part of Baden-Powell's Police.
Later, he returned home to study religion at King's College London. In 1912, he became a priest.
A Hero in World War I
When World War I began, Mellish was working as a church helper in Deptford. He offered to serve as a chaplain in the army. A chaplain is a priest or minister who helps soldiers. He served from May 1915 to February 1919. His brother, Richard Coppin Mellish, was killed in battle in September 1915.
Reverend Mellish worked with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. This was in the Ypres Salient area in 1916. It was there, during the Actions of St Eloi Craters, that he showed incredible bravery. This happened from March 27 to March 29, 1916. For his actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was the first army chaplain to win this special award in World War I.
What is the Victoria Cross?
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award for bravery in the British military. It is given for "most conspicuous bravery" when facing the enemy. This means showing extreme courage in very dangerous situations.
His Amazing Bravery at St Eloi
Mellish was 35 years old when he won the VC. He was a chaplain in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department. The official story of his bravery says:
"He showed amazing courage. For three days, during heavy fighting, he kept going back and forth. He moved between our trenches and enemy trenches we had captured. He did this under constant heavy shell and machine-gun fire. His goal was to help and rescue wounded soldiers.
On the first day, he brought in ten badly wounded men. This was from an area swept by machine-gun fire. Three soldiers were actually killed while he was helping them.
His battalion was replaced on the second day. But he went back anyway. He brought in twelve more wounded men.
On the night of the third day, he led a group of volunteers. They went back to the trenches again. Their mission was to rescue the remaining wounded soldiers.
This incredible work was completely his choice. It was not part of his normal duties as a chaplain."
Sint-Elooi (St Eloi) is a place about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Ypres, Belgium. A memorial called the Hill 62 Memorial remembers the defense of St Eloi.
You can see his Victoria Cross medal at the Fusilier Museum in the Tower of London. Copies of his medals are also at the Museum of Army Chaplaincy.
Life After the War
After World War I, Mellish received another award, the Military Cross, in 1919.
He continued his work as a priest. He was a vicar in different churches. These included St Mark's in Lewisham, and later churches in Suffolk. From 1928 to 1948, he was the vicar of St Mary's Church in Great Dunmow, Essex. After that, he became a priest in charge of the Church of St Dunstan, Baltonsborough in Somerset.
During World War II, he volunteered to help keep people safe. He worked as an air-raid precautions warden. This meant he helped protect people during air raids. In 1946, he was given a special role as a helper for the county of Essex.
Remembering a Hero
Mellish's birthplace, Trenabie House, no longer exists. But in March 2016, a special plaque was placed nearby. His daughter, Claire, attended the ceremony.
