Arthur Mainwaring Maxwell DSO MC (1888-1966)

Major Arthur Mainwaring Maxwell DSO MC

Born 8 Jun 1888 in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia)

Ancestors

Son of Crawford John Maxwell and Caroline Emily W (Giblin) Maxwell

Brother of Crawford Mayne Maxwell, Alan Wilmot Maxwell, Kenneth Graeme Maxwell, Maurice Maxwell and Duncan Struan Maxwell MC

Husband of Marion Grey Wemyss (Bridges) Maxwell — married 18 Feb 1926 in Penang, Federated Malay States (Malaysia)

Father of Sally Maxwell, Margaret (Maxwell) Moon and Crawford William Bridges Maxwell

Died 17 Jun 1966 at age 78 in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia

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1 Biography
- 1.1 First World War
- 1.2 Second World War
2 Sources

Biography

Arthur Mainwaring Maxwell DSO MC was born on 8th June 1888 at Hobart, Tasmania (Australia). He was the fifth of six sons of Crawford Maxwell and Caroline Emily Worthy Giblin.^[1]

First World War

Arthur Maxwell DSO MC is an Anzac who served in World War One.

On 24th September 1914 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War.^[2] He was posted to the 6th Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron; which was then being raised in Sydney and became part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade. Showing leadership potential, Arthur was promptly promoted to Corporal. Sailing from Sydney on 21st December 1914, the regiment disembarked in Egypt on 1st February 1915.^[3] The light horse were initially considered unsuitable for operations at Gallipoli, but were subsequently deployed without their horses to reinforce the infantry. The 2nd Light Horse Brigade landed in late May 1915 and was attached to the 1st Australian Division. Back in Egypt after the evacuation of the peninsula in December, Arthur was commissioned as a Lieutenant and transferred to the 52nd Australian Infrantry Battalion, which was raised at Tel el Kebir in Egypt on 1st March 1916, as part of the "doubling" of the AIF. Approximately half of its recruits were Gallipoli veterans from the 12th Battalion, and the other half, fresh reinforcements from Australia. The battalion became part of the 13th Brigade of the newly-formed 4th Australian Division.

Arriving in France on 12th June 1916, the battalion moved into the trenches of the Western Front within a fortnight. It fought in its first major battle at Mouquet Farm on 3rd September; suffering heavy casualties of 50 per cent of its fighting strength. Early in 1917, the battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Later in the year, the focus of the AIF's operations moved to the Ypres sector in Belgium. There the battalion fought in the battle of Messines between 7th and 12th June and the battle of Polygon Wood between 26th and 27th September. They defended against the major German offensive in late March 1918 around Dernancourt on the River Ancre. In the early hours of ANZAC Day 1918 the battalion participated in the now legendary attack to dislodge the enemy from Villers-Bretonneux.^[4]

Arthur was awarded the Military Cross, gazetted in London 14th November 1916,^[5] (as was his brother Duncan, also a Lieutenant in the 52nd) and appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 25th August 1917.^[6] He was Mentioned in Despatches for his service whilst with 52nd Infantry Battalion, gazetted in London 28th December 1917,^[7] whilst attached to Headquarters 1st Australian Division, gazetted in London 4th February 1919,^[8] and again for service with the 52nd Battalion, gazetted in London 11th July 1919.^[9]

He returned to Australia 16th June 1919.

On 18th February 1926 at South Penang, Malaya, he married Marion Bridges, daughter of the late Major General Sir William and Lady Bridges.

Second World War

Arthur Maxwell DSO MC is a Military Veteran.
Served in the 2nd Australian Imperial Force 1940-1945
Headqaurters AIF Malaya

Major Arthur Maxwell DSO MC was a prisoner of war of the Japanese during the Second World War.

Arthur served in the Second Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War, becoming a prisoner of war of the Japanese in February 1942 as a member of the Headquarters Australian Imperial Force Malaya until Japan's surrender in August 1945.^[10]

He passed away on 17th June 1966 at Bowral, New South Wales^[11] and is buried in St Simon and St Jude Church of England (Anglican) Churchyard, Bowral.^[12]