Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Lieutenant J. Maxwell, 2nd Canadian Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (81576 L. Cpl., 2/Can. Inf. Bn.); 1914-15 Star (81576 Pte., 2/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (on B.W.M.) (Lieut.); France, Croix de Guerre 1914-1915, palm on ribbon, good very fine (5) £1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation 11 March 1916.

‘81576 Lance-Corporal J. Maxwell, 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion’ ‘For conspicuous and consistent good service since he joined the battalion. He has frequently led patrols, notably on one occasion when, with two men, he cut the enemy’s wire and got on to the enemy’s parapet to examine the trench. Seeing a group of five men in the trench, he bombed them with good effect and then brought his patrol safely back.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 26 January 1916.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 23 March 1916.

John Maxwell enlisted as a Private in Winnipeg on 12 December 1914. Serving in France, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.C.M. and Croix de Guerre for bravery in action. Suffered shell shock on 24 February 1916. Later commissioned. He died in Vancouver on 31 January 1965.

With the book: The History of the 2nd Canadian Battalion (East Ontario Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War, by Col. W. W. Murray, O.B.E., M.C. - in which Maxwell’s D.C.M., M.I.D. and Croix de Guerre are listed. With copied gazette extracts and notes. Also with a 2nd Battalion Canadian Infantry cap badge and an enamelled badge and two ‘C/2’ badges.