Melville, R (Robert)

Melville, R (Robert)

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Private Robert Melville was from Belfast, he served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 4th Battalion.

While the events of the world were spiralling out of control this young soldier of the 4th Battalion fell ill in Ebrington barracks, Londonderry, Ireland. He was suffering from enteric fever.[1]

Robert remained ill for ten days before succumbing to the sickness on the 31st of August in the presence of Edward Moss. He was the first soldier of the war to die and be buried in the City Cemetery.

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 4th Battalion was also known as the Fermanagh Light Infantry. It was a reserve battalion and never left Ireland. They were based in Buncrana, Donegal. Robert was awarded no medals as he did not serve abroad.

Date of Death: 31/08/1914 (Aged 19)

Service: Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 4th Battalion.

Service Number: 3284

Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, GA. Mil. 27.


[1] Enteric fever is Typhoid fever and is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body,

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