Mellefont, Thomas Grey (Thomas)
Lance Corporal
No. 9887, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Monday 26 October 1914 (aged 19)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Le Touret Memorial, France (Panel 42 and 43)
Mariners’ Church of Ireland Church Dun Laoghaire (closed in 1974 and now a maritime museum)
BIOGRAPHY
In some records his surname is spelt Mellifont and in others Millefont.
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Thomas Grey Mellefont was born in Millisle.
Thomas Grey Mellefont was born on 20 November 1894 in the townland of Ballyhaskin, Millisle and he was a son of Robert and Susan Matilda Mellefont (nee Gilbert) who were married on 11 July 1879 in Gallen Parish Church of Ireland Church, King’s County. Robert Mellefont, a widower and a coast guard from Kingstown, Co Dublin was a son of David Mellefont, a cabinet maker. Susan Gilbert was a servant and she was a daughter of William Gilbert, a gardener.
When Thomas was born Robert Mellefont was a Station Officer in the Coast Guards.
By 1901 Robert Mellefont was a Royal Navy pensioner and he and his family had moved from Millisle, Co Down to Riverchapel, Co Wexford. Robert Mellefont was born in County Wexford and his wife Susan was born in County Dublin.
Robert and Susan Mellefont had at least seven children:
Sarah (born 27 August 1882; birth registered in Downpatrick)
Frances Matilda (born 7 September 1884 in Ballyhornan, Downpatrick)
David Grey (born 2 June 1886 in Ballyhornan, Downpatrick)
Gilbert John (born 7 February 1888 in Ballycastle)
Amelia (born 13 September 1890 in Ballycastle)
Susan (born 6 December 1891 in Ballyhaskin)
Thomas Grey (born 20 November 1894 in Ballyhaskin)
Susan Mellefont was baptised in Carrowdore Parish Church of Ireland Church.
Robert Mellefont died of heart disease on 16 March 1903 (aged 58) in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. His son Gilbert was with him when he died.
Thomas Mellefont enlisted in Dublin and he served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. He was 19 when he was killed on 26 October 1914 in a German attack at Neuve Chapelle during the Battle of La Bassee.
Lance Corporal Thomas Grey Mellefont (No. 9887) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France and in the Mariners’ Church of Ireland Church Dun Laoghaire (closed in 1974 and now a maritime museum).