| Harold Thomas Mellings | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1897[1] or 5 August 1899[2] Bromfield, Shropshire, England |
| Died | 22 July 1918 Ostend, Belgium |
| Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery | Nieuwpoort, Belgium |
| Allegiance | England |
| Service/branch | Aviation |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 2 Wing RNAS, No. 10 Squadron RNAS/No. 210 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) |
Captain Harold Thomas Mellings was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.[3]
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Mellings earned Aviator's Certificate No. 2028 at the Beatty Flying School in Hendon on a Caudron biplane on 11 November 1915.[4]
Mellings began his career as a fighter ace on 30 September 1916, when he flew a Bristol Scout to victory over an LVG near Smyrna. He sent the observation plane spinning down out of control. It would be exactly a year until victory number two.[5] This second action was a clash between polyglot forces. Mellings was flying a recently rebuilt Sopwith Triplane equipped with an extra gun, and was accompanied by John Alcock in a Sopwith Camel and a third pilot in a Sopwith Pup. The opposing Germans were a two-seater observation plane escorted by two Albatros W4s. The ensuing dogfight resulted in Melling shooting away the upper left wing of Walter Kreuger's W4; Kreuger crashed into the Aegean sea.[6] In November, Mellings destroyed enemy planes on the 19th, 25th, and 29th, becoming an ace while still flying Sopwith Triplane No. N5431. Soon afterwards, he was transferred out of No. 2 Wing to No. 10 Naval Squadron on the Western Front in France.[7]
Mellings's new assignment put him in the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel. He used it to score his sixth triumph on 28 February 1918. He tallied four more wins in March, including a double victory on 24 March, to become a double ace. After one more win, on 9 April, he was wounded in action on the 15th. He would not score again until 9 July 1918. He then notched two victories each on 20 and 24 July. Later in the day of the 24th, he was killed in action by Ludwig Beckmann.[8]
Mellings's final tally was ten enemy airplanes confirmed destroyed, five driven down out of control, and two unconfirmed victories.[9]
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Flt. Sub-Lieut. Harold Thomas Mellings, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services on the 19th March, 1917, when he attacked a hostile aeroplane with great gallantry at heights varying from 12,000 to 2,000 feet.[10]
Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in lieu of a second award
Fit. Lieut. Harold Thomas Mellings, D.S:C., R.N.A.S.
For the great skill, judgment and dash displayed by him off Mudros on the 30th September, 1917, in a successful attack on three enemy seaplanes, two of which were brought down in the sea.[11][12]
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Lieut. (Hon. Capt.) Harold Thomas Mellings, D.S.C. (Sea Patrol).
A very gallant officer who, on a recent patrol, attacked and caused to crash an enemy two-seater. Later, on the same patrol, he was attacked by four Fokkers, one of which he shot down at a range of ten yards; this machine was seen to crash. A second was driven down smoking. Since he was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross Captain Mellings has, in addition to the above, accounted for eleven enemy machines—seven destroyed, and four driven down out of control.[13]
The Hellenic Royal Order of the Redeemer awarded on 21 September 1916.[14][15][16]
Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1. Norman Franks. Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1841765341, 9781841765341.