ELY, Maxwell Thomas
| Service Number: | 152936 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 May 1944 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Rose Park, South Australia, 24 February 1926 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Jervois Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 16 May 1944: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 May 1944: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 152936 | |
| 28 Feb 1947: | Discharged |
Short Bio
Maxwell was the son of Oscar Ernest ELY & Clarice Ruby WHITEHORN and was born on the 24th of February 1926 in Rose Park.
His parents were married on the 28th of March 1925 in the Memorial Church, Stow, SA
His father was the son of Thomas ELY & Louise Anny Mary SCHULTZE and was born on the 18th of March 1891 in Portland, SA
His mother was the daughter of Frederick William WHITEHORN & Louisa Ann COX and was born on the 16th of May 1896 in Koolunga, SA.
His father was previously married, so Max had 2 half brothers; Eric Oscar & Ronald Walter.
When he was 2 years old the family moved to Jervois and his father was a Dairy Farmer.
Max attended Grade 1 in the Jervois Public School in 1933.
In 1939 Max won the 1 ½ mile under 18 cycling club handicap at Tailem Bend and the ½ mile schoolboys event.
His brother; Ronald, enlisted into the RAAF on the 27th of April 1940 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 26355, followed by his other brother; Eric, who enlisted into the 2/10th Battalion on the 21st of March 1941 in Adelaide and allotted the service number SX11867.
His brother; Ronald died in an air crash when the plane burst into flames on the 11th May 1944, in a non-operational night exercise. Out of the eight crew members there were four other RAAF boys on the aircraft and three were killed.
At the age of 18 years, Maxwell enlisted into the RAAF, just 5 days later, on the 16th of May 1944 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 152936. He was living at Jervois with his parents at the time.
Max was discharged on the 28th of February 1947, his last posting being Laverton Transit Departure & Reception Centre.
Submitted 13 June 2022 by Paul Lemar
Biography contributed by Paul Lemar
Maxwell was the son of Oscar Ernest ELY & Clarice Ruby WHITEHORN and was born on the 24th of February 1926 in Rose Park.
His parents were married on the 28th of March 1925 in the Memorial Church, Stow, SA
His father was the son of Thomas ELY & Louise Anny Mary SCHULTZE and was born on the 18th of March 1891 in Portland, SA
His mother was the daughter of Frederick William WHITEHORN & Louisa Ann COX and was born on the 16th of May 1896 in Koolunga, SA.
His father was previously married, so Max had 2 half brothers; Eric Oscar & Ronald Walter.
When he was 2 years old the family moved to Jervois and his father was a Dairy Farmer.
Max attended Grade 1 in the Jervois Public School in 1933.
In 1939 Max won the 1 ½ mile under 18 cycling club handicap at Tailem Bend and the ½ mile schoolboys event.
His brother; Ronald, enlisted into the RAAF on the 27th of April 1940 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 26355, followed by his other brother; Eric, who enlisted into the 2/10th Battalion on the 21st of March 1941 in Adelaide and allotted the service number SX11867.
His brother; Ronald died in an air crash when the plane burst into flames on the 11th May 1944, in a non-operational night exercise. Out of the eight crew members there were four other RAAF boys on the aircraft and three were killed.
At the age of 18 years, Maxwell enlisted into the RAAF, just 5 days later, on the 16th of May 1944 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 152936. He was living at Jervois with his parents at the time.
Max was discharged on the 28th of February 1947, his last posting being Laverton Transit Departure & Reception Centre.
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