DEATH OF DR. J. W. MELVILLE

UNTIMELY END TO A BRILLIANT CAREER

OPERATION THAT TERMINATED FATALLY

It came as a painful surprise to many Barrovians to learn of the death of Dr. John Walter Melville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melville, 4, Infield Park, Barrow, which occurred at the Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool, on Sunday evening. Dr. Melville had been suffering for about a fortnight from the effects of an operation for appendicitis, but on Sunday afternoon there was a marked improvement in his condition, and he appeared to be well on the way to recovery. About nine p.m., however, there was a relapse and death occurred with tragic suddenness as a result of a clot of blood touching the heart.

Although only 24 years of age, Dr. Melville has had a distinguished career. He was educated at the Barrow Secondary School, where he was exceedingly popular amongst his colleagues, and on securing his Matriculation at the age of 16, took a double course of medical and dental work at Liverpool University. In taking these courses conjointly he completed ten years’ University studies in six years – a great undertaking. He first secured his B.D.S. (Liverpool) degree with honours in 1925, and then the L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., and R.C.S. (London) degrees in 1926. The following year he took the M.B. and Ch.B. (Liverpool) degrees. He was appointed house surgeon at the Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool, in 1927, and subsequently secured an important post at the Leeds University Dental School. He recently resigned his Leeds appointment, however, and returned as house surgeon at the Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool, in order to continue his medical studies, which he preferred. At the time of his death he was studying for his Fellowship in Surgery at London. He was a member of the Playhouse Circle.

He contributed an article on “Dentistry as a Career” to the summer issue of the “Barrovian”, the Secondary School’s magazine, and this was read with great interest by boys about to branch out into careers after leaving school.

Dr. Melville has one brother, who is also engaged in dental work in Barrow.

Much sympathy is felt with the family in their loss.

BODY INTERRED IN RAMPSIDE CHURCHYARD

The funeral took place at Rampside, on Wednesday afternoon, of the late Dr. J. W. Melville, house surgeon at the Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool, and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Melville, of 4, Infield Park, Barrow. The body had been brought from Liverpool by rail on Tuesday, where prior to its departure a largely-attended memorial service was conducted by Canon Howson in the chapel attached to the Royal Southern Hospital. Afterwards, the doctors and medical staff of the hospital escorted the remains to the train.

The officiating clergy at the funeral were the Revs. J. W. Adams, M.A. (Vicar of Rampside), and E. W. Toms,

M.A. (Presbyterian minister, Barrow) and the chief mourners were the parents, Mr. W. J. Melville (brother), Miss Melville and Miss Hargraves (aunts).

Barrow News, 28 July 1928