Frank Whitmore Mellish (6 Caps, 1920-1921 - Flanker) Born in Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa, on the 26 April 1897,Mellish at Wynberg Boy’s High School and Rondebosch Boy’s High School in Cape Town. He served with the South African forces in German South West Africa (now Namibia) , and in France, being awarded the Military Cross (MC) in 1916. His test debut for England came on the 17 January 1920,against Wales, playing in the position of Flanker. He represented England on five more occasions, against France, Ireland and Scotland (all in 1920), and Wales and Ireland (in 1921). Mellish later returned to South Africa and represented the Springboks in 6 tests, against New Zealand and the British Lions (1921 and 1924 respectively), and also represented South Africa on the board of the Rugby Football Union from 1945-1946.
Mellish, Frank Whitmore MC JP played for England and South Africa England Internationals: 6 : England 1920 W- F+ I+ (1t) S+ ; 1921 W+ I+ ; South Africa Internationals: 6 : 1921 NZ- NZ= ; 1924 BI+ BI+ BI= BI+ Frank Mellish was born on 26 April 1897, in Rondebosch, Western Province Played as a Flanker/lock for: Wynberg Boys High School, Rondebosch Buys High school, South African College School, Cape Town Highlanders, Villagers, Blackheath, Barbarians, Western Province Profession: Business executive with United Tobacco Company Ltd/flower farmer. War service: Gunner, South African Heavy Artillery in German South West Africa 1914-1915; embarked for Europe on the SS City of Athens on 15 May 1915; Officer Training in England from 21 December 1916, then Royal Artillery Cadet School January 1917, then as a Second Lieutenant from 9 April 1917 (acting Lieutenant from 9 October 1918) with the 71st (Transvaal) [or 73rd Western Cape)?] Siege Battery, South African Heavy Artillery, on the Western Front, where he was wounded in the left leg in April 1918. He was awarded the MC for action at Ypres in 1916, Gazetted 3 June 1919. He relinquished his commission on 1 June 1919. Remarks: Played for Barbarians: v Penarth (10-12) v Swansea (3-14) in 1920. Absence abroad on business prevented him playing for E v S and E v F 1921. Returned to SA to play on first tour to NZ 1921. South Africa’s third dual international. Served as a Colonel in the South African Armoured Division 1939-1945. Represented SA on the RFU 1945-1946. Later a South African selector and the Manager of the 1951 Springbok tour of the British Isles and France. He died on 21 August 1965
Frank Mellish (1920-21), was a remarkable man. He played Tests for two different countries in the same calendar year. In 1921 he played for England and then hot-footed it home to be chosen for the first Springbok team to tour New Zealand. Later he was the convener of selectors in South Africa and the manager of the 1951-52 Springboks. His ashes are scattered on Newlands.
The nominal role of the first contingent of the SAHA shows Mellish as a gunner ex the Cape Town Highlanders. This contingent left for England at the end of August 1915 although an advance party had left a couple of weeks earlier. Mellish joined the 73rd as a Second Lieutenant on 4th August 1917 and transferred to the 71st on 10th June 1918. His Service Record might yield some clarity and possibly more detail.
