SPAD,
Harold Thomas Mellings was born at Bromfield, Shropshire, 5 August 1899.
His birth was registered during 3rd Quarter (July-Sept) 1899, at Ludlow,
Shropshire. The 1901 Census for England confirms that he was born
"about 1900" at Bromfield (the Census was taken early in the year, prior to
Mellings' birthday for 1901, hence the 1900 birthdate rather than 1899;
the Census listed age at last birthday). So, Mellings DID qualify at a
remarkably early age. The birth information references are: the
Birth, Marriages and Deaths Index for England & Wales; the 1901
Census for England. The birthdate that stated an older age was
either a clerical error or the false age he stated to join the service
while underage.
Regards
Josquin