 Nyorai mberi kwechikamu chino - Mellish akaberekerwa kuRondebosch, Cape Town kwaakapinda Wynberg Boys High School, Rondebosch Boys High School, uye SACS. Munguva yeHondo Yenyika I, akashanda muSouth-West Africa semupfuri neCape Town Highlanders muSouth African Heavy Artillery kubva muna 1914 kusvika muna 1915. Musi wa 15 May 1915 akafamba nechikepe che SS City of Athens achienda kuEurope kwaakagamuchira Military Cross nokuda kwechiito paYpresmuna 1916. Akaita kudzidziswa mupurisa muEngland, achiteverwa nechikoro cheRoyal Artillery Cadet School asati akwidziridzwa kuita 2nd Lieutenant uye gare gare achiita Lieutenant. Akabva ashanda kuWestern Front neSouth African Heavy Artillery uko akakuvara gumbo reruboshwe muna Kubvumbi 1918. Akasiya basa rake musi wa1 June 1919. 