Melville John Ring

Sergeant, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)

Melville John Ring was a student at Alleyn’s until 1902 and lived at Ridgeview Road, Whetstone with his wife, Isabel Ring. After the outbreak of war in August 1914, he decided to enlist in the British Expeditionary Force and joined the London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) after being found fit for service. During his time with the LRB, Melville served overseas on the Western Front as a Sergeant and saw action in France and Flanders. In May 1915, he was serving near Ypres when the German Army caused mass chaos and confusion at the front by releasing the first gas attack of the war. Over the next few days, the British and French troops defended their positions in the line and fought to re-gain the ground that had been lost in initial attack. Unfortunately, it was during this action Melville was killed on May 3^rd 1915. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.