Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Charles A. Mellish

Male 1941 - 1953  (12 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Charles A. Mellish 
    Born 18 Apr 1941  [1
    Gender Male 
    Interesting drowning, accident, story 
    Misfortune 1953  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Drown 
    Misfortune 1953 
    drowned 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-338012 
    Died 12 May 1953  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Buried 15 May 1953  Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I338012  Generations
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2024 

    Father Clayton Clarence Wood,   b. 23 Dec 1915, Bright, Blandford Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Sep 1982, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Mother May Eileen Scott,   b. 1914, Midland, Tay Twp., Simcoe Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jan 1978, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years) 
    Family ID F247543  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • AYR - The funeral of Charles Mellish, 12, who drowned yesterday afternoon in the Nith River, will be held Friday at the Ball Funeral Parlor. Burial will be in Ayr cemetery

      Kitchener-Waterloo Record - 12 May 1953

      __________________________________

      Charles Mellish Drowning Victim


      A half-holiday from school time for an enjoyable afternoon of swimming - resulted in the death by drowning on Tuesday afternoon of Charles Mellish, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Wood, Ayr. The tragedy occurred at Nithvale dam before the eyes of eight young companions, when Charles, a non-swimmer, stepped off a cement ledge into seven feet of murky water.

      A futile rescue attempt by Roy Hartwick, Ayr-Wrigley's road, was thwarted by the desperate struggle of the drowning lad, and he sank from sight only 15 feet from shore.

      Victim Was Unable to Swim

      Stanley Wright, 13, one of the group present, related the details in a shocked, unbelieving voice a half hour after the life of one of his friends had been snuffed out. A public school music festival at the Community Centre gave those not participating a free afternoon and many turned toward Nithvale dam to combat the heat. Stanley had just dived from a ledge at the dam's edge when Charles, who had been standing beside him, also stepped off into the depths

      Roy Hartwick Attempted Rescue

      According to Stanley, his struggles were not taken seriously for a moment until he became frantic. Another youngster, Roy Hartwick, who was just approaching the dam in bathing trunks, perceived the situation and dived in to render assistance. The flailing arms of the victim grasped at the inexperienced young swimmer who was forced to extricate himself and could not effect a rescue.

      Keith Goodfellow Comes to Scene

      In the meantime, another companion rushed 500 yards, to the Community Centre where he met Keith Goodfellow, a teacher at Mill Creek school. Mr. Goodfellow hurried to the scene, but by that time the lad had disappeared.

      Body Located 15 Minutes Later

      Stanley dashed by bicycle to The News office, where he is errand boy, and informed the staff. A car, driven by S. A. Moffatt, Galt, was commandeered and carried three members to the scene. By this time the lad had been submerged for 15 minutes, but a search detail was immediately organized. The body was recovered less than five minutes later by R. A. Schmidt of The News, who located the boy about 10 feet offshore in six feet of water.

      Artificial Respiration Fruitless

      Artificial respiration was applied, but a short time later he was pronounced dead by Dr. R. D. Atkinson. It was a shocking experience for Charles' young companions: Stanley Wright, Donald Johnson, Douglas Dance, Ricky Merriman, Bill Makins, Gary Sippel and Roy Hartwick who were present when the tragedy occurred. The funeral will be held from the W. O. Ball Funeral Parlor on Friday, May 15.

      The Ayr News May 14 1953 pg 1

  • Sources 
    1. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      [Flat marker] In Loving memory of/ Charles A. Mellish/ Apr. 18, 1941 - May 12, 1953

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsMisfortune - Drown - 1953 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 12 May 1953 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 15 May 1953 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth