Lot 3646

Description

Group of Nine: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 137 Gnr. H.W.Maxwell 1/F.A.Bde. A.I.F. on first three medals, NX11909 Sgt Maxwell. H.W. 2/1 M.G.Bn on fourth to seventh medals, NX11909 H.M.Maxwell on eighth medal and NX11909 H.W.Maxwell on last medal. The first three and last two impressed, the rest engraved. Very fine.

Together with Anzac Commemorative lapel badge 1967, reverse inscribed, 'H.W.Maxwell'; Somme Commemorative Medal; Rats of Tobruk 1941 (Rat) Medal, reverse marked COPY; Tobruk Siege 1941 (Association) Medal, reverse marked SPECIMEN.

Herbert William Maxwell, professional soldier, age 21, born at Wellington, NSW; WWI: Enl.29Aug1914 at Sydney; previous service 5 years 3rd AIR and 2 years in Reserves; Emb.21Apr1915; to Gallipoli 28Jul1915; WIA 13Sep1915; RTA 01Nov1917 but evaded embarkation and place taken by Pte Joseph McAuliffe, a New Zealand deserter who subsequently impersonated Maxwell to receive money due to him from the Army and was convicted and sentenced to 6 months hard labour in Goulburn Goal; following disciplinary hearing, Maxwell RTA 01Feb1918; Disch.01May1918; WWII: NX11909 (N68907) now stated birthplace as Mumbil, NSW (this place is in the Wellington Council area); Enl.11Apr1940 at Paddington; Disch.02Jun1944 as Private ex Australian and New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU).