Teignmouth Melvill was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On 22 January1879 after the disaster of the Battle of Isandhlwana, South Africa, Lieutenant Melvill made gallant efforts to save the Queen's Colour of his Regiment. He and another officer (Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill) were pursued by Zulu warriors and after experiencing great difficulty in crossing the swollen River Buffalo (during which time the Colour was unfortunately carried downstream) the two men were overtaken by the enemy and following a short but gallant struggle both were killed. The Colour was retrieved from the river 10 days later.
Further information
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).
Reference
See also
External links
Teignmouth MELVILL of Cheltenham College (http://www.dhs.kyutech.ac.jp/~ruxton/OC_victoria_crosses.html)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net)with permission.
Melvill, exhausted after his grim ride, urged his horse into the river, and although an accomplished horseman, his mount so plunged and reared on the slippery stones that, hampered as he was by the cased Colour and its colour-pike, he was thrown into the river.
Melvill and Coghill were exhumed, placed in coffins, and in the presence of Colonels Glyn and Degacher (commanding 2/24th) and several other officens, were reburied a few yards away from the spot where they fell.
Melvill, but in the meantime Lord Chelmsford cancelled his move as he could not be spared, as every officer was needed for the forthcoming campaign.
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