The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (4219) Bombardier Norman Basil Maxwell, 11th Brigade Australian Field Artillery, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (4219) Bombardier Norman Basil Maxwell, 11th Brigade Australian Field Artillery, First World War.

4219 Bombardier Norman Basil Maxwell, 11th Brigade Australian Field Artillery
DOD 24 December 1916
Photograph: P07739.001

Story delivered 30 August 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Bombardier Norman Basil Maxwell, whose photograph is displayed beside the Pool of Reflection.

Norman Maxwell was the youngest son of John and Sarah Maxwell. Born in Manoora, South Australia, he attended the local state school before going to Largs Bay College in Adelaide. Following his schooling he returned to the Manoora district and took up farming with his father on the family property near Saddleworth.

Norman was considered “one of the most popular young men in the district”, whose “manly qualities endeared him to everyone”. He was a prominent player on the Saddleworth Football Team with his brother Edgar, won a number of athletics competitions, and was an active member of St Aidan’s Church in Saddleworth.

Maxwell enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 26 August 1915. After a period of training in Australia he was sent to Egypt, where he was posted to the 50th Battalion. Shortly afterwards, however, he was transferred to the artillery, where he would remain for the rest of his military career.

Bombardier Maxwell arrived in France in June 1916 and served on the Western Front until December, when he fell ill. He was taken to the 10th General Hospital in Rouen, seriously ill with appendicitis. After nearly three weeks he died in hospital on Christmas Eve 1916, aged 22.

Norman Maxwell’s brother Edgar had enlisted in the AIF in May 1916 and served with the 50th Battalion. He and a number of family friends from around Saddleworth were killed in action on 2 April 1917.

The names of Norman and Edgar Maxwell are listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Bombardier Norman Basil Maxwell, his brother Private Edgar Albert Maxwell, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.