The following transcripts are of 3 hand-written documents and one typed document associated with two recommendations for the award of medals to Captain Edward Emerson Melly.

CITATION FOR THE AWARD OF THE MILITARY CROSS

The first document is an Army Form W.3121, completed by hand. It seeks recognition of service rendered between 9 and 10 October 1917 and between 18 and 24 October (year unspecified, but assumed to be 1917).

"148th Infantry Brigade
49th Division
XXII Corps
Unit: 1/5th BN. York + Lancaster Regt. (T.F.)
Regtl. No. -----
Rank and Name: Capt EDWARD EMERSON MELLY
Action for which commended: For conspicuous gallantry + devotion to duty whilst acting as adjutant during active operations on the 9th + 10th October 1917 near BELLE VUE RIDGE.
He accompanied his Commanding Officer through our own barrage to the pill boxes forming Headquarters. He remained outside the pill boxes in spite of heavy shell + machine gun fire & reported on the situation constantly.
He personally reconnoitred the forward position on the morning of the 10th under extremely dangerous conditions and brought back information which was of the utmost importance to his Commanding Officer.
He also, when acting in the same capacity at ZONNEBEKE between the 18th and 24th October rendered valuable assistance to his Commanding Officer under the greatest difficulty and danger. He never spared himself under the most trying circumstances. He has acted as Adjutant in all subsequent operations until the present time.
Recommended by: Lt. Col. S Rhodes, Cmg. 1/5th York+Lancs"

The second document is again an Army Form W.3121. In support of the first document, this was typed, and it was signed by a Brigadier General (indecipherable signature). Specific mention is made of service between 22 Sep 17 and 25 Feb 18 and also to 2 periods in October 1918 (9-10 Oct and 18-24 Oct) in front of Passchendaele. The year for the October actions thus differs between the 2 documents, albeit other documents indicate that 1917 is, in fact, the correct year.

"148th Infantry Brigade
49th Division
XXII Corps
Unit: 1/5th Battn. York and Lancaster Regt. (T.F.)
Regtl. No. -----
Rank and Name: Captain Edward Emerson MELLY
Action for which commended: For gallantry and devotion to duty during the period 22nd September 1917 – 25th February 1918, during which period he was acting as Adjutant to his battalion, and especially during the operations on the 9-10th October and 18-24th October, 1918 (sic), near PASSCHENDAELE, when he displayed great coolness and disregard for personal safety in carrying out his duties, reconnoitring forward positions and sending back information which was of the utmost importance to his Commanding Officer. He has been of valuable assistance to his Commanding Officer, and has never spared himself under the most trying circumstances.
Honour or Award: MC"

CITATION FOR THE AWARD OF A BAR TO THE MILITARY CROSS

The third document is a hand-written carbon copy of the original Army Form W.3121 raised by EEM’s Battalion Commanding Officer. (Details of Divison, Brigade and Unit were omitted on this document.) It seeks recognition of service rendered on 11, 12 and 14 April 1918.

"CAPTAIN EDWARD EMERSON MELLY
For conspicuous galantry (sic) and devotion to duty during active operations whilst adjutant of the battalion.
At STEENWERCK on the 11th April 1918 he rendered valuable assistance to me during an attack on the CABARET DU SAULE organising the attack and personally conveyed my orders on several occasions to the respective Company Commanders. Again on the 12th when all my Company officers but one had become casualties he took control of the companies in the line and through his personal example enabled an extremely critical position to be maintained.
Again on the 14th when the enemy had penetrated our positions he led Battalion Headquarters in a successful counter attack which restored our position.
It’s difficult to estimate the effect on the operations that this officer’s conduct afforded and he was of the greatest assistance to his battalion commander throughout.
S Rhodes Lt Col
5Y+L"

The fourth document was an Army Form W.3121, again completed by the Battalion’s Commanding Officer, and clearly intended to accompany the third document.

"Unit: 1/5 YORK AND LANCASTER REGT. T.F.
Rank and Name CAPT EDWARD EMERSON MELLY
Action for Which Commended: He showed great gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in front of PASSCHENDAELE whilst acting as Adjutant.
He has served in France & Belgium continuously since Sept 1915 as follows:
YPRES 1915
SOMME 1916
NEUVE CHAPPELLE 1917
NIEUPORT 1917
YPRES 1917-18
Has acted as adjutant since 25/7/17.
S Rhodes Lieut Col"