After leaving Wellington College, Tim Melvill went to Sandhurst and in 1896 was commissioned into the South Wales Borderers, the regiment with which his father had won a posthumous VC for saving the colours at Isandlwana in 1879. His love of riding led Tim Melvill to transfer to the 17th Lancers and, after winning the DSO while serving in France, he was appointed assistant Military Attaché in Madrid in 1921. Following the amalgamation that led to the formation of the 17/21 Lancers he was appointed colonel of the regiment. While in the Army he won the Inter-Regimental Polo Tournament both in England and India.
Melvill played in the second Westchester Cup match against America at Meadowbrook in 1924. After leaving the Army, Melvill was for many years polo correspondent of The Field. He was a finalist in the US Open and won titles at the Coronation, Patriotic, County P. A., Roehampton, Social Clubs, Cowdray Park Challenge, County Cups, and Roehampton Junior Championships. An 8-goal player, Melvill was a member of the Polo Pony Society.
Great Britain