Charles Melbourne (Mel) Ward (1903-1966) was an actor, acrobat, musician, naturalist and marine collector. He was the younger son of American-born parents Hugh Joseph Ward, theatrical manager, and his wife Grace, née Miller, a concert singer.
His parent's travelling life meant his schooling was erratic though he attended the Marist Brothers' High School, Darlinghurst, Sydney for some years. In 1919 he left school to go on the stage making his début in 'The Bing Boys' on Broadway.
Fascinated by crabs since childhood, Ward became a member (1926), fellow (1936) and life-member (1947) of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. He published in Australian and international scientific journals.
He married Halley Kate Foster on 27 October 1931 at the district registry office, Randwick.In the late 1950s he appeared on television in Channel 9's 'Mickey Mouse Club' and 'Ninepins' show. He wrote for Outdoors and Fishing and lectured to many groups. He suffered from diabetes mellitus and died of a coronary occlusion.
Source: Martha Rutledge, 'Ward, Charles Melbourne (1903-1966)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ward-charles-melbourne-11958/text21433, accessed 19 March 2013.
