The 1901 Census for Canada records  that Melville Henry Caudle aged 11 was living in Colchester, Nova Scotia with his father John age 41, born  in 1859  of  English Nationality, a Toolchecker by trade. His wife Margaret, aged 42 born in 1858 also  of English Nationality. Their other listed children were Maud, 17, Lizzie 15, John 13, and Connie 8.

The 1911  Census records  Melville, aged 22 a Clerk by trade then married to Ruth aged 25.  Their two children were  Cecil aged 2 born October 1908 and Edward age 8 months born February 1910. They were still living in Colchester, Nova Scotia.

Melville enlisted into the 17th  (Reserve) Battalion, Canadian Infantry on 2nd March 1916 at Truro, Nova Scotia. He listed his father, John T Caudle as Next of Kin.

The 17th Battalion embarked from Halifax, Canada on 12th October 1916 on board the S.S.Olympic and arrived in England on 18th October 1916 when they were posted to Whitley Camp. Melville was appointed Acting Corporal at Whitley Camp on 23rd October 1916 and at that time was in the 193rd Battalion. He reverted to Acting Rank L/ Corporal on his own request on transfer to 185th Battalion on 28th December 1916. He remained at Whitley Camp.

On 9th September 1917 Melville was sent on Command to the Canadian School of Cookery, 171 Clapham Rd, London, S9. He remained there until 4th October 1917 when he returned to Whitley. He remained at Whitley camp until 23rd February 1918 when he was transferred to the 17th Battalion and posted to Bramshott Camp and then on to Kinmel Camp, Rhyl on 10th October 1918.

(From Library and Archives of Canada)

Kinmel Park Camp was a segregation camp used to house Canadian Soldiers awaiting repatriation to Canada after the end of WW1. Unfortunately the conditions at that time were extremely harsh with a lack of every kind of commodity, the camp was overcrowded and the services were poor, there were shortages of clothing, food and blankets. As a result of this situation, a vast number of servicemen and women became ill and many succumbed to the Influenza Epidemic or complications associated with this infection. Sadly Melville contracted Bronchial Pneumonia,and was admitted to the Canadian General Hospital where he died on 22nd October 1918 October 1918.

 Melville is buried in St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Bodelwyddan.

He is commemorated on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.