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The Mellanby Brothers: Fredrick

Family photograph showing two men in the middle and a woman sat either side of them. One man stands in his army uniform looking towards the camera whilst the other perches slightly next to him in his sailors uniform. The woman on the right is their mother and she sits with straight posture with hands together on her lap looking towards the camera. She has a small face with delicate features and her dark hair is pulled behind her in a bun. The other woman is the sister and she sits on the opposite side of the men, legs crosses, arms out beside her and she is wearing a skirt suit, her hair is pulled back behind her but she has fashionable 1930s waves around her face. She looks happy with a slight smile and large eyes.
Family photo showing Robert William (left) and Fredrick Henry (right) Mellanby posing in their uniforms with their sister and mother. Image courtesy of Eric Robinson.

Fredrick Henry Mellanby was born in 1914 to a serving seaman, Frank Henry Mellanby and Isabel Sarah Cater. The family lived in Middlesbrough and later moved to Stockton-on-Tees. Fredrick didn’t follow his father to become a seaman, instead he secured a job as a Railway Clerk, a respectable position.

A large group of soldiers pose for a photograph. Some men lie on the floor whilst others stand at the back.
A large group of soldiers pose for a photograph. Fredrick Henry Mellanby kept this picture in his photo album. Perhaps he is in the picture or maybe he took it, we just don’t know. Image courtesy of Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds.

Fredrick Henry Mellanby married Ida Redman in 1941. During the war he joined the Royal Engineers and quickly rose to the rank of Major. We know he served overseas and was thought of highly by his seniors. He was released from active service in 1946. He and his wife had one son, who they named in honour of his brother Robert. Fredrick Henry led a long life, working as a civil servant, dying in 1998.

Fredrick and Robert standing together in a back lane. Image courtesy of Eric Robinson.

Fredrick’s army uniform, glasses and letters still survive and are kept in Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds.

Did you know the Mellanby bothers or there family? If so we would love to hear from you, please email teesvalleymuseums@stockton.gov.uk