b. 18/06/1894 Carrieton, Australia. d. 11/10/1983 on a flight between Dubai and Hong Kong.
Thomas Leslie “Jack” Axford (1894-1983) was born on 18th June 1894 at Carrieton, South Australia. He was known as Jack. His father, Walter Richard Axford, was from Bothwell, Tasmania. He moved with his parents and siblings to Ballarat, Victoria, where he worked for the Ballarat Hardware Company for 20 years and was a member of the Ballarat City Fire Brigade. He later became a farmer in Carrieton and served as a sergeant in I Company, Carrieton Mounted Rifles. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 26th April 1888. He married Margaret “Maud” Anne Helena McQuillan on 25th November 1890 at Archbishops Court, Adelaide, South Australia. Jack had nine siblings.
As a child, Jack worked on a farm and was educated at Coolgardie State School, Western Australia. He was caught stealing apples and appeared in court in January 1909, where he was cautioned and paid 13 shillings. He was employed at Boulder Brewery, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia from 1910 and also served in 84th Infantry Goldfields Regiment of the Citizen Military Forces 1912-1915. He enlisted in the AIF at Kalgoorlie on 19th July 1915. While he was training at Blackboy Hill an officer jokingly pinned a VC replica on his chest because he looked like someone who would get one.
ThomasLAxford VC MM
Reaching France in June 1916, the battalion attacked towards Mouquet Farm, near Pozières, on 9th August. Axford was evacuated with shell-shock on the 11th, but he quickly rejoined his unit. A year later, on 10th August 1917, he suffered a shrapnel wound to his left knee at Gapaard Farm, Belgium. After treatment in hospital in England, he returned to his unit in January 1918 and next month was promoted to lance corporal. In March-April the 16th Battalion, as part of the 4th Brigade, stopped the German offensive at Hébuterne, France. Axford was awarded the Military Medal in May.
His most conspicuous hour came on 4th July 1918 at the battle of Hamel. The Allied barrage opened at 3.10 a.m. and when it lifted shortly afterwards the 16th Battalion attacked Vaire Wood. Axford’s platoon reached the enemy defences but a neighbouring platoon was held up at the wire. Machine-guns inflicted many casualties among Axford’s mates in the other platoon. He dashed to the flank, bombed the machine-gun crews, jumped into the trench and charged with his bayonet. In all, he killed ten enemy soldiers and captured six. Throwing the machine-guns over the parapet, he called the delayed platoon forward and then rejoined his own. In ninety-three minutes the victory of Hamel was complete. Axford’s initiative and gallantry earned him the Victoria Cross. `I must have been mad’, he commented later. On 14th July he was promoted to corporal.
The initial recommendation came from Lieutenant James Basil Minchin, with whom Jack developed a great friendship. When James died in 1936, Thomas was one of the pallbearers at the funeral. Thomas trained at the Australian Corps School between August and September 1918. However, four days before the end of the period he was transferred to AIF HQ in London. The VC was presented by King George V in the quadrangle at Buckingham Palace on 26th September 1918. Jack embarked on 19th October, alongside Philip Davey VC MM, and returned to Australia.
In December 1918 Axford came home to Australia on furlough. Discharged from the army on 6th February 1919, he recommenced work as a labourer. At St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, on 27th November 1926 he married Lily Maud Foster, a shop assistant. They lived at Mount Hawthorn and had five children. Axford was employed by Hugh McKay (Massey Harris) Pty Ltd and became a clerk. He was one of 23 VCs who attended an Anzac Dinner on 23rd April 1927 hosted by Lieutenant General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD. On 25th June 1941 he was mobilised in the Militia and posted to the District Records Office, Perth. Rising to sergeant in February 1943, he was discharged on 14th April 1947. In his leisure time `Jack’ regularly attended the races.
Axford attended the VC centenary celebrations in Hyde Park, London in 1956. He was returning from a reunion of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association when he died on 11th October 1983 on an aircraft between Dubai and Hong Kong. At Keith Payne VC’s suggestion, the body was placed upright in the lavatory for easier removal after rigor mortis. His wife had died three months earlier. Survived by their two sons and three daughters, he was cremated with full military honours at Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth, Western Australia. His funeral was attended by Jim Gordon VC and Keith Payne VC.
In addition to the VC and MM he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, George VI Coronation Medal 1937, Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 and Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977. Jack’s wishes were that his medals remain in the family and not be sold after his death. The Public Trustee of his medals held a ballot within the family. As a result, his VC and MM were split up. The result was that it was agreed to donate the VC and MM to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 27th September 1985. The other medals are still held in the family.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA.
BURIAL PLACE: KARRAKATTA CREMATORIUM, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
ASHES INTERRED PORTION M, ROW C, NICHE 1
Acknowledgements:
Kevin Brazier – Cemetery Map
Richard Yielding – Images of the Plaque at Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth and of the Walk of Fame plaque at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Gary Richardson – image of the memorial stone at King’s Park, Perth.
Steve Lee www.memorialstovalour.co.uk – image of the medal group at Australian War Memorial, Canberra.