Career
Born in Weston-super-Mare and educated at Street Lawrence College, Ramsgate, Melville-Jackson joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in June 1938 to undertake pilot training. In July 1940 he was posted to Number. 236 Squadron Royal Air Force and flew Bristol Blenheims on convoy patrols and escort sorties over the Channel and Western Approaches.
With Number.
236 squadron throughout the Battle of Britain. Melville-Jackson flew Bristol Beaufighters with Number. 248 Squadron Royal Air Force, joining in July 1942.
The squadron was assigned to Coastal Command to provide long-range fighter support to the anti-submarine aircraft operating against U-boats in the Western Approaches and the Bay of Biscay.
In August 1942, Melville-Jackson flew in support of Operation Pedestal, the crucial convoy mission that resupplied the island of Malta in 1942. In April 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions.
Melville-Jackson was released from the Royal Air Force in 1946. He rejoined the Royal Air Force in 1952 as a pilot, flying night fighters in Germany and England.
He spent three years in the United States and then returned to Germany where he was the sector controller at the Uedem air defence radar site.
He retired from the Royal Air Force as a Wing Commander in 1968. Melville-Jackson is also notable for his attempt to obtain a pardon for Anne Boleyn. The Home Office did not grant his requests.
Melville-Jackson was proud of his Battle of Britain link and was present when the Battle of Britain London Monument was unveiled by Prince Charles and the The Duchess of Cornwall on Victoria Embankment.