P36 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 485 SJT (PTE on star) H. DE MELKER 8/BN AIF.

P36 Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 485 SJT (PTE on star) H. DE MELKER 8/BN AIF.

Previous Service noted as “Light Horse, Vic”

EMB: 19^th Oct 1914

Served in the trenches the whole Gallipoli Campaign from the Landing to the evacuation with the 8th Battalion

Transferred to 60^th Battalion 24^th February 1916

Killed in action 19^th July 1917 in Belgium.

A red cross file exists with the following eyewitness statement; “They all went over the top on the 19^th July at Fromelles. We had 440 yards to cross under heavy enemy fire and a creek to get over into the bargain. None of these men answered roll call.” Cpl Poulter

Sgt John Henry Wiltch De Melker is remembered at VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France

VF $1150