Background
Mellows was born in Croydon, the son of Alfred John Mellows and his wife Edith Dean.
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Alfred Mellows
Edit ProfileEducation
He was educated at Monkton Combe School and at Cambridge University, and was a contemporary of fellow Olympic rower Michael Lapage at both places.
Career
He was bowman in the winning Cambridge boat in the 1947 Boat Race and took the same position with the record-breaking Cambridge crew in the 1948 race. Wartime service: Pilot Officer "Paul" Mellows served with the Royal Air Force during World World War II as a night fighter pilot flying De Havilland Mosquitos accompanying planes from Bomber Command on 50 operations over mainland Europe. His Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded following a raid over Stuttgart, during which his plane sustained critical damage as a result of American Automobile Association fire, which almost completely destroyed the aircraft"s tailplane.
Mellows died at Addlestone, Surrey at the age of 75.
His Widow Jean Mellows survives him.
Achievements
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In 1948, he was a crew member of the British boat which won the silver medal rowing at the 1948 Summer Olympics in the men"s eights. Despite the damage incurred which made manoeuvring the aircraft extremely difficult if not almost impossible, PO Mellows managed to limp the damaged aircraft and his navigator crewman across occupied territory and back to base in England, and for valour and the superb flying skill demonstrated that night, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Born
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Died
July 11, 1997 (aged 75) -
Nationality
United Kingdom