Arthur Percy Melsom

Lieutenant-Commander R.N.R. Arthur Percy Melsom, D.S.O., R.D. (23 September, 1879 – 29 November, 1929) served in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Life & Career

Born in Shrewsbury, Salop.

Melsom was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant R.N.R. with a seniority of 1 January, 1911. He spent 28 days training in Repulse, Devonport R.N.B. and Roxburgh in June/July 1909 and some voluntary training in other ships in 1910. He received another 28 days in the first class protected cruiser St. George in November/December, 1913.

Melsom provided active service in Glory from 5 August, 1914 through 21 September 1915 and was landed in connection with operations Suvla Beach, where he was wounded on 18 September. Melsom received a positive report for his service in Glory.

Mentioned in Despatches, 27 July 1917.

Melsom was awarded a D.S.O. on 11 April, 1918. This is almost certainly for destroying UB 35 with depth charges off Calais on 26 January, 1918 while in command of the "C" Class destroyer Leven.

Post-War

Demobilised on 27 January, 1919.

Melsom was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander R.N.R. on 5 March 1919 with a seniority of 1 January, 1919.

Melsom was placed on the Retired List on 3 June 1921.

Melsom's widow Janet wrote to inform the Navy of her husband's death at the Seaman's Hospital, Greenwich in late 1929. He had worked in the past year as Master of the Eagle Oil Transport Co, Ltd.'s S.S. San Florentino.

See Also

• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Martin J. C. de Meric	Captain of H.M. T.B. 98 16 Mar, 1916 – 14 Oct, 1916	Succeeded by John I. Harrison
Preceded by Ronald C. Glazebrook	Captain of H.M.S. Greyhound 14 Oct, 1916 – 31 Jan, 1917	Succeeded by William Devlin
Preceded by Fred E. Ayers	Captain of H.M.S. Leven 6 Feb, 1917	Succeeded by Thomas V. Roberts
Preceded by Harry C. Birnie	Captain of H.M.S. P57 5 Sep, 1918 – 3 Oct, 1918	Succeeded by William A. Dumbleton