Private Arthur William Melvin, who fought and died for Australia during World War II, has been honoured in Norville under Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program.
Melvin Street was named after Private Melvin in December 1951 and now displays the Rising Sun Badge of the Australian Army in recognition of his service.
Arthur was born to Arthur and Margaret Melvin in Charters Towers, Queensland on Christmas Day, 25 December 1907.
He was single and working as a fisherman when he enlisted for military service in Maryborough on 20 March 1941, aged 33 years.
His eldest sister Ethel lived on Tantitha Street in Bundaberg and was listed as his next of kin on his enlistment paperwork.
Army service
Arthur undertook initial training in Redbank, Queensland from March to June 1941.
After a short period of pre-embarkment leave, Arthur left Sydney on 27 June 1941 and arrived in the Middle East on 31 July 1941.
On route, he fell ill with influenza and was admitted to the ship’s hospital for one week.
On 13 September 1941, Arthur was marched out to join the 2/15 Australian Infantry Battalion.
At this time, the battalion was stationed in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria before moving to support British forces in El Alamein in Egypt.
The Battle of El Alamien, between July and November 1942, was one of the fiercest battles fought by British and Allied forces, notably the 9th Australian Division and the British Eighth Army, during World War II.
The 9th Australian Division was tasked with crumbling heavily defended and critical German positions along the railway and highway.
German defences collapsed on 4 November and retreated across Libya, marking one of the most significant allied victories of the war.
The 9th Australian division lost 620 men with a further 1,944 wounded, the British Eighth Army suffered 13,560 casualties and Axis forces casualties numbered 90,000.
Arthur was injured in the Battle of El Alamien and died from his wounds on 30 October 1942, aged 34 years.
Military honours
Arthur was buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Egypt, where his grave bears the inscription “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN. HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE”.
He is also remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico.
For his service, Arthur was awarded the 1939/45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Clasp, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.
His sisters Ethel and Iris received the Female Relative badge and star.
Iris named her only son Melvin in honour of her brother’s memory.
Information about Private Arthur William Melvin’s life and service is from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Virtual War Memorial and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Service Number: QX13029
Streets of Remembrance
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program recognises the service of veterans with a connection to the Bundaberg Region by adding the badge of the military force in which they served to the street sign of streets named in their honour.
More information about Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program and how to nominate a street or service person is available here.
