Joseph Maxwell
Joseph Maxwell | |
---|---|
Born | Forest Lodge, New South Wales | 10 February 1896
Died | 6 July 1967 Matraville, New South Wales | (aged 71)
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/ | Citizens Military Forces (1913–15) Australian Imperial Force (1915–19) |
Years of service | 1913–1919 1940 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Battles/wars | First World War
|
Awards | Victoria Cross Military Cross & Bar Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Joseph Maxwell,
An apprentice
Early life
Maxwell was born in the Sydney suburb of Forest Lodge, New South Wales,[2][3] on 10 February 1896 to John Maxwell, a labourer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Stokes.[4] A member of the Senior Australian Army Cadets for three years,[5] he worked as an apprentice boilermaker at an engineering works near Newcastle upon leaving school.[4] For two years, he served as a member of the Citizens Military Forces, and on 6 February 1915, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force enticed by the prospects of better pay.[1][5]
First World War
Training, February 1915 to Western Front, May 1917
Having received his initial training at Liverpool Camp,
Maxwell served on Gallipoli with his unit until 2 December, when he was admitted to 5th Field Ambulance and evacuated from the peninsula suffering from
Arriving in
Suffering synovitis to his right knee, Maxwell was hospitalised for two days and posted to a training battalion in England on 28 November 1916. He stayed there for five months before embarking for France on 9 May 1917 and rejoining the 18th Battalion five days later.[5] Maxwell was only briefly in France before being selected for officer training. Shortly after arriving in England, he attended a boisterous party with a group of soldiers. The military police raided the party and called the local police for assistance after confronting Maxwell's group. Maxwell was fined £20 and sent back to his unit for his actions.[10]
Western Front: May 1917 to August 1918
Maxwell was again selected for officer training, and on 5 July, he was posted to No. 6 Officers' Cadet Battalion. He was promoted to
Commissioned in the field as a second lieutenant on 29 September 1917,[12] Maxwell took part in the engagements around Poelcappelle, Belgium, the following month.[7] He earned promotion to lieutenant on 1 January 1918 and was admitted to the 7th Australian Field Ambulance on 10 January suffering scabies. Having been discharged from the hospital, he rejoined the 18th Battalion on 17 January.[5]
On 8 March 1918,
Throughout the spring of 1918, the 18th Battalion was involved in operations to repel the German offensive.[7] Maxwell took part in these actions until he was granted leave and went back to England on 17 July. He returned to France and rejoined the 18th Battalion on 1 August,[5] before taking part in the Battle of Amiens where he was to earn a Bar to his Military Cross. On 9 August, the battalion was preparing to attack near Rainecourt. Maxwell took command of the company after all of its other officers became casualties. Under his leadership, the company was able to attack on time, despite being subjected to heavy fire. A tank that preceded the advance immediately became the object of enemy fire and was knocked out by a 77 mm gun.[2] Maxwell, who was in close proximity, rushed over and opened the hatch, allowing the crew to escape. After escorting the tank commander to safety, Maxwell returned to lead the company in the attack, which succeeded in reaching and consolidating their objective.[15] The award of the bar was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 1 February 1919.[16]
Victoria Cross, October 1918 to repatriation, August 1919
On 3 October 1918, the 5th Brigade—of which the 18th Battalion was part—became engaged in its last battle of the First World War when breaching the Hindenburg Line close to Beaurevoir and Montbrehain. While taking part in this battle, Maxwell was a member of the attacking party along the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line when he performed the acts for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.[17]
Early in the advance, Maxwell's company commander was severely wounded, resulting in Maxwell assuming control. Reaching the German barbwire defences under intense machine-gun fire, the company suffered heavy casualties, including all of the officers except Maxwell. Pushing forward alone through a narrow passageway in the wire, Maxwell captured the most dangerous machine gun, killed three Germans and took another four as prisoners; thereby enabling the company to move through the wire and reach their objective.[2][18] Shortly afterwards, it was noticed that the company on their left flank was held up and failing to advance. Gathering a party of men, Maxwell led the group in an attempt to attack the German force from the rear. They soon came under heavy machine gun fire, and, single-handedly, Maxwell dashed forward and attacked the foremost gun. Firing his revolver, he managed to shoot five of the crew and silence the gun.[18]
Later in the advance, Maxwell learnt from an English-speaking prisoner that a group of Germans in the adjacent post wished to surrender, but were afraid to give themselves up.[19] Accompanied by two privates and the prisoner—who was to act as an interpreter—Maxwell approached the post.[20] The three Australians, however, were immediately surrounded by a group of twenty German soldiers and disarmed. They seemed set to become prisoners themselves, before an artillery barrage fell on the position. Taking advantage of the resulting confusion,[21] Maxwell pulled out a concealed revolver and shot two of the Germans before escaping with his men under heavy rifle fire; one of the privates was subsequently wounded. Organising a party of men, he immediately attacked and captured the post.[22]
The full citation for Maxwell's Victoria Cross appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette on 6 January 1919, it read:[23]
War Office, 6th January, 1919
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men: —
Lt. Joseph Maxwell, M.C., D.C.M., 18th Bn., A.I.F.
For most conspicuous bravery and leadership in attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line near Estrees, North of St. Quentin, on the 3rd October, 1918.
His company commander was severely wounded early in the advance, and Lt. Maxwell at once took charge. The enemy wire when reached under intense fire was found to be exceptionally strong and closely supported by machine guns, whereupon Lt. Maxwell pushed forward single-handed through the wire and captured the most dangerous gun, killing three and capturing four enemy. He thus enabled his company to penetrate the wire and reach the objective. Later, he again dashed forward and silenced, single-handed, a gun which was holding up a flank company. Subsequently, when with two men only he attempted to capture a strong party of the enemy, he handled a most involved situation very skilfully, and it was due to his resource that he and his comrades escaped.
Throughout the day Lt. Maxwell set a high example of personal bravery, coupled with excellent judgment and quick decision.
The 18th Battalion was training away from the frontline when the
Later life
Following demobilisation, Maxwell worked as a gardener in
On 11 November 1929, Maxwell attended the New South Wales Dinner for recipients of the Victoria Cross in Sydney, and 1932 saw the publication of Hell's Bells and Mademoiselles, a book written in collaboration with Hugh Buggy about his experiences in the war. At the time, Maxwell was working as a gardener with the Department of the Interior in Canberra.[25] The book was a success, but Maxwell soon spent what money he made from it.[26] In the late 1930s, he wrote the manuscript for a second book entitled From the Hindenburg Line to the Breadline. The book was never published and the manuscript was lost when it was lent to someone to read.[27]
In 1933, Maxwell acted as a defence witness in the trial of Alfred Jamieson, who was accused of housebreaking. Maxwell was Jamieson's former platoon commander and testified that Jamieson had been of good character but had been strongly affected by the war.[25]
After the outbreak of the
In 1952, Maxwell joined the contingent of Victoria Cross recipients invited to the coronation of Queen
On 6 July 1967, Maxwell collapsed and died of a heart attack in a street in his home town Matraville, New South Wales. He had been an invalid pensioner for some time. His funeral service took place with full military honours at St Mathias Anglican Church, Paddington.[29] Having been cremated, his ashes were interred at the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium in Botany.[24] Anne Maxwell presented her husband's medals to the Army Museum of New South Wales at Victoria Barracks, Paddington, and subsequently the medals, together with a portrait and a brass copy of his VC citation, were unveiled by the Minister of Defence, Allan Fairhall.[29] In 2003, Maxwell's medals were presented to the Australian War Memorial on a permanent loan basis.[30]
Notes
- ^ a b Franki & Slatyer 2003, p. 36
- ^ a b c d e Staunton 2005, p. 191
- ^ a b c d e Gliddon 2000, p. 89
- ^ ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Joseph MAXWELL". The AIF Project. Australian Defence Force Academy. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
- ^ "18 Infantry Battalion" (PDF). First World War Embarkation Roll. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g "18th Battalion". Australian military units. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
- ^ Macklin 2008, pp. 103–104
- ^ Macklin 2008, p. 105
- ^ Macklin 2008, pp. 105–106
- ^ "Recommendation for Joseph Maxwell to be awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal" (PDF). Recommendations: First World War. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 22 August 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Gliddon 2000, p. 90
- ^ a b "Recommendation for Joseph Maxwell to be awarded a Military Cross" (PDF). Recommendations: First World War. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
- ^ "No. 30681". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 May 1918. p. 5707.
- ^ "Recommendation for Joseph Maxwell to be awarded a Bar to Military Cross" (PDF). Recommendations: First World War. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 23 August 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "No. 31158". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 February 1919. p. 1636.
- ^ Gliddon 2000, p. 88
- ^ a b "Recommendation for Joseph Maxwell to be awarded a Victoria Cross" (PDF). Recommendations: First World War. Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ Gliddon 2000, pp. 88–89
- ^ Carlyon 2006, p. 721
- ^ Macklin 2008, p. 109
- ^ "Recommendation for Joseph Maxwell to be awarded a Victoria Cross (cont)" (PDF). Recommendations: First World War. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 14 January 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "No. 31108". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 January 1919. p. 307.
- ^ a b c Staunton 2005, p. 193
- ^ a b Gliddon 2000, pp. 91–92
- ^ a b c Macklin 2008, p. 110
- ^ "A Maxwell Manuscript". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. 21 August 1967. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Wells, Joseph (Maxwell, Joseph)". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
- ^ a b c d Gliddon 2000, pp. 92
- ^ "Joseph Maxwell's Victoria Cross on permanent loan to the Australian War Memorial". The History of the Victoria Cross. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
References
- ISBN 978-1-4050-3761-7.
- Franki, George; Slatyer, Clyde (2003). Mad Harry: Australia's Most Decorated Soldier. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Kangaroo Press. ISBN 0-7318-1188-7.
- Gliddon, Gerald (2000). The Final Days 1918. ISBN 0-7509-2485-3.
- ISBN 978-1-74114-882-4.
- Staunton, Anthony (2005). Victoria Cross: Australia's Finest and the Battles they Fought. Prahran, Victoria, Australia: Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 1-74066-288-1.
Further reading
- Ramsland, John (2012). Venturing into No Man's Land: The Charmed Life of Joseph Maxwell VC, World War I Hero. Melbourne, Australia: Brolga Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 9781-9220-36-636.
External links
- "Maxwell VC". VC Recipients. Diggerhistory.info. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
- "New South Wales – Australia". VC Burials. Victoriacross.org. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
- Brian Day. "MAXWELL, Lieutenant Joseph 18th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF". Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces Inc. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.