Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John William Mellowes, a shoe trade finisher, born 1863 in Oadby, Leicestershire, and his wife Ann Mellowes (nee Hill, married in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a shoe trade fitter, born 1861 in Oadby. William Oscar was born on the 2nd January 1888 in Oadby, his siblings were, Nellie, born 14th October 1886 and Alfred Albert, born 1889, both his siblings were born in Oadby, in April 1891 the family home was at Club Cottages, Main Road, Oadby. In March 1901 William was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at London Road, Oadby, together with his father, a shoe trade finisher, his mother and siblings, Nellie, a hosiery trade worker, Alfred, James, born 1894 and Harry, born 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Oadby. In the 4th quarter of 1903, William’s mother died aged 42 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. In April 1911 William was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at London Road, Oadby, together with his widowed father, a boot trade finisher, and his siblings, Nellie, a hosiery sock trade worker, James, a domestic gardener and Harry, a hosiery sock trade worker.
William enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 23rd September 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec Province, and was allotted the service number 24632. He gave his date of birth as 2nd January 1882, place of birth as Oadby, Leicestershire, his next of kin as Mr. J. W. Mellowes, London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, marital status as single and his trade or calling as machinist.
His descriptive examination recorded that his apparent age was 26 years 7 months, he was 5 feet 7¼ inches in height, weighed 146 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36½ inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, 1 vaccination scar, left arm, 1 small papilloma over ninth dorsal vertebrae, he gave his religion as Baptist.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined on Enlistment. 5th Regiment. Royal Highlanders of Canada. 19/8/14.
Transferred. 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry.
Unit sailed. 13/10/14.
Embarked. To France.1/4/15.
Reported. From Base. Wounded. In the Field. 22/4/15 – 24/4/15.
Reported. From Base. Previously reported wounded. Now reported missing. In the Field. 29/6/15.
Reported. From Base. Previously reported missing. Now killed in action. In the Field. 24/4/15.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William’s service record amounts to a total of thirty pages and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 22 Apr-15 – ST JULIEN. Heavily shelled and bombarded. Machine Guns very busy. Held the line until 7.50am when the Battalion was forced to retire to Reserve Trenches. Held the Reserve Trenches until 2.00pm when we were shelled out and retired to General Headquarters Trenches.
On Monday, August, 9, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – OADBY MAN KILLED. – Mr. J. W. Mellowes, London-road, Oadby, has received official intimation that his son Pte. W. O. Mellowes, was killed in action on April 24. Pte. Mellowes went out to Canada about four years ago, and when war broke out he joined the Highlanders, afterwards being transferred to Princess Patricia’s Regiment. He served in France, and it was reported that he was wounded, but he could not be found in any hospital, and eventually he was put down as amongst the missing. It was only to-day that news was received that he had been killed. He was 27 years of age, and was born at Oadby. He was keenly interested in football, and occasionally acted as referee at the Oadby Rugby team’s matches, being an officer of the Oadby Club.
On Friday August 13th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE CANADIAN KILLED.” – A War Office intimation has just been received by Mr. J. W. Mellowes, of Oadby, Leicestershire, that his son, Pte. W. O. Mellowes, was killed in action on April 24th. Mellowes went out to Canada about four years ago, and on the outbreak of war, joined the Canadian Highlanders, afterwards being transferred to Princess Patricia’s Regiment. He served in France, and it was reported in April that he was wounded, but he could not be found in any hospital, and was subsequently put down as missing. It was only on Saturday that he was officially reported as killed. Mellowes was 27 years of age and took a keen interest in Oadby Rugby Football Club.