Second Engineer Officer Charles Mellan served in the Merchant Navy during World War Two. He was the son of Charles Mellan and Catherine Mellan or Carnlough, Co. Antrim, and the husband of Matilda Mellan of 51 Bryson Street, Belfast, Co. Down. He last visited home on St. Patrick's Day, 17th March 1941.
He died on 21st March 1941 aged 41 years old on board SS Millisle. The 617-ton cargo ship went down after an attack from a Luftwaffe plane 2 miles east of Helwick Light Buoy in the Bristol Channel. The vessel was en route from Cardiff, Wales to Cork, Éire laden with coal when bombed. A total of 8 crew members from Northern Ireland died as a result of the attack.
Charles Mellan has no known grave. His name is on Panel 70 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, England.