MADGE, Maitland
| Service Numbers: | 3483, QX1836, Q186400 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 August 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cooktown, Queensland, Australia, 17 March 1901 |
| Home Town: | Townsville, Townsville, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Illness, Malaya, 7 June 1944, aged 43 years |
| Cemetery: |
Kranji War Cemetery (CWGC) Official Commemoration - Grave Location: 4. B. 10., Kranji War Cemetery, Kranji, Singapore |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, City of Townsville WW2 HR |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3483, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3483, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Seang Bee, Brisbane | |
| 21 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3483, 15th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Bee embarkation_ship_number: A48 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Aug 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3483, 15th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, QX1836 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1939: | Enlisted | |
| 20 Oct 1939: | Enlisted Private, Q186400, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA), Townsville, Queensland | |
| 17 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Private, QX1836, Townsville, Queensland | |
| 17 Jun 1940: | Enlisted | |
| 17 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, QX1836, 2nd/26th Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Feb 1942: | Imprisoned Malaya/Singapore | |
| 7 Jun 1944: | Discharged |
Awarded the Military Medal
Commonwealth Gazette, No. 62 reads:
"These men [3483 Maitland MADGE and 4580 Sydney MAY] are recommended for conspicuous bravery while acting as messenger during operations north west of POZIERES from 5th to 11th August, 1916. These men were continually moving to and from Company and Battalion Headquarters under intense H.E. artillery barrage. The telephone lines were being continually broken, and the only method of communication was then by messenger. They showed an utter disregard of their own safety, and an admirable contempt for danger, and it was entirely owing to their self-sacrifice that the operations were so well supported by our own artillery and that Battalion and Brigade Headquarters were so closely in touch with progress of operations. Our losses in messengers were very heavy. There were several instances of these messengers being blown up by H.E. shells exploding near them, and some of them were rendered semi unconscious from shell shock, but after a short rest returned to their dangerous work."
Submitted 11 December 2014 by John Edwards
Biography contributed by John Edwards
"After the voyage to the Middle East the 15th Battalion now part of the 4th Brigade disembarked at Marseilles from Alexandria... The 15 battalion was engaged in some of the fiercest fighting at Pozieres and on the 11th August 1916 Madge is reported as wounded in action North West of Pozieres and taken to a Hospital at Etaples. In the days from the 5th to 11th August with no concern for his own safety, Madge while acting as a messenger had moved between Company and Battalion Headquarters under continued enemy artillery fire."
Pvt. Maitland Madge MM, also served in WW2 - aged 45 he re-enlisted in August 1939 in Townsville to the 1st Garrison Battalion. Arriving in Singapore in August 1941 Madge as part of the 2/26 Battalion, 8th Division. He was ill when taken prisoner by the Japanese forces in February 1942. Madge survived over two years at the Changi Camp and it is recorded that he passed away on the 7th June 1944 whilst a prisoner of war." - SOURCE (blogs.slq.qld.gov.au)
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