Percy Hope Mellon AM

b. 03/02/1867 Secunderabad, India. d. 02/03/1935 Gorleston, Norfolk.

DATE OF AM ACTION: 24/02/1911 Iffley Lock, near Oxford.

Percy H Mellon AM

Percy was the eldest of seven children born to Isaiah and Mary Ann Mellon (nee Pengelly). He was born in Secunderabad, India where his father was serving in the 15th Hussars. The family soon returned to the UK and lived in Sandhurst. In 1880, his father died, and the family moved to Littlehampton, Sussex. Percy then joined the Royal Navy and served for 10 years, before transferring to the Coastguard Service. In 1895, he married Mary Cooper, and they had four sons. He then moved to work for the Thames Conservancy, hence why he was at Iffley Lock at the time of his AM action. He retired in 1924 and moved to Norfolk, where he died on 2nd March 1935. His AM which he received from King George V on May 23rd 1911 was donated to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley by his grand-daughter.

 

AM CITATION:

Mr. Mellon is the lock-keeper at Iffley L.ock on the Thames, near Oxford, and the Albert Medal was awarded to him for brayery in saving the life of a woman who had fallen into the river. On the night of the 24th February the lock-keeper was called from his house and informed that a woman was’in the-river. He hastened to the spot, but owing to the darkness was unable to find any trace of the woman. Returning towards the lock he observed in the water a dark object which was being rapidly carried by the strong stream and high wind towards the partly opened weir. Swimming towards it he discovered that it was a woman floating on her side apparently lifeless, and was able to bring her safely to land, aided by his. son, who had pluckily swum out to his father’s assistance. The woman was taken from the river unconscious, but she soon recovered, and was able to go home.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: GORLESTON OLD CEMETERY, GORLESTON, NORFOLK.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: RIVER AND ROWING MUSEUM, HENLEY ON THAMES, OXON.

Acknowledgement:

Audrey Sprague – Image of her grandfather’s grave in Gorleston Old Cemetery, Gorleston, Norfolk.