Edward John Mellish was born in Ballarat and enlisted from Mt Pleasant on 8th April 1916. He was 22 years old, single and employed as a miner. He was posted to the 8th Infantry Battalion, with Regimental No. 6067, and later was transferred to the 39th Infantry Battalion. He was killed in the front line trenches on 28th November 1917, and is buried in Berks Cemetery Extension, Belgium.

Awarded the Military Medal for 'On 12th October, 1917, East of YPRES, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion in action. During the whole engagement, this soldier continuously urged those around him to greater effort and by his cheerfulness, courage and utter disregard of danger, set a fine example to his comrades. During the second day's engagement, he made many trips forward to bring in wounded.'
Tree No. 2330