Joseph Maxwell is one of Maitland’s most heroic sons.
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But most people do not know his name.
Mr Maxwell was born in Annandale, Sydney, in 1896 but moved to Gillieston Heights with his family while still a child.
He attended Gillieston Public School and worked as an apprentice boilermaker.
At the time he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on February 8, 1915, Mr Maxwell lived at 5 Nicholson Street, West Maitland.
He was posted to the 18th Battalion and served at Gallipoli before going to France in March 1916.
It was on the European battlefields that Mr Maxwell displayed amazing courage and gallantry.
According to a report from the London Gazette on January 6, 1919, Maxwell was awarded the Victoria Cross after an attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsomme line near Estrees on 3 October, 1918.
“His company commander was severely wounded early in the advance, and Lieutenant Maxwell at once took charge,” the story read.
“The enemy wire when reached under intense fire was found to be exceptionally strong and closely supported by machine-guns, whereupon Lieutenant 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 pushed 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 owing to his resource that he and his comrades escaped.
“Throughout the day Lieutenant Maxwell set a high example of personal bravery, coupled with excellent judgement and quick decision.”
Mr Maxwell was one of only 96 Australian recipients of the Imperial Victoria Cross.
His honours include the Victoria Cross, Military Cross and Bar, Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War Medal (1914-20), Victory Medal (1914-19), King George VI Coronation Medal (1937) and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953).
He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on March 8, 1919.
Mr Maxwell died of a heart attack in 1967 and his medals were donated to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
