Distinguished Conduct Medal : Private G Maidment (A G Thornton), 2/16 Battalion

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo VI). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Awarded to Alexander George Thornton who served as WX4227 Private George Maidment in 2/16 Battalion. Born in June 1914 in Paddington NSW, he worked on and off as a labourer, before stowing away in 1939 on a ship for Western Australia. He was discovered and jailed in Fremantle. After his release, he enlisted in the Second AIF in May 1940, under a false name.

Thornton proved an unruly soldier, frequently in trouble with his superiors. He saw no service in the campaigns in North Africa or Syria, remaining in the base area in Palestine. He then served in New Guinea, and took part in an action near Abuari on the Kokoda Trail on 30 August 1942, for which he was recommended for the Victoria Cross, but received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) instead.

The VC recommendation reads, 'On 30 Aug 'A' Coy and 'B' Coy, of which Pte Maidment is a member, were ordered to clear the ABUARI ridge where the enemy were strongly established and from which two coys of 53 Bn had been unable to dislodge them on the previous day. The attack had to be made up a steep wooded slope against carefully prepared and camouflaged positions. Maidment's platoon encountered a very strongly defended Japanese position, and was held up. Casualties began to mount and Maidment's section leader was killed. Disregarding heavy automatic weapons fire, Maidment coolly collected grenades from the pouches of his dead section leader and dashed up the slope towards the enemy positions. He was badly wounded in the chest and lung almost at once but destroyed several of the nearer machine gun posts and continued his onslaught until all his grenades were used and he was ordered to rejoin his platoon. The enemy immediately began to press forward. Maidment then picked up his section leader's Tommy Gun and, showing an entire disregard for cover and for his own safety, he held up the enemy with accurate fire until his ammunition was exhausted. This action allowed his platoon time to withdraw and reform, and was directly responsible for the infliction of severe casualties on the Japanese and the prevention of what seemed inevitable and heavy losses on our side. It was only after all his ammunition had been expended that Maidment was prevailed upon to rejoin his comrades. Although suffering from loss of blood and exhaustion he refused all assistance to the rear. On arrival at the R.A.P. he collapsed and was evacuated to hospital as a stretcher case. Maidment's unsurpassed courage, fortitude and devotion to duty were an inspiring example. It is recommended that he be awarded the Victoria Cross.'

The citation for the DCM reads, 'Being a member of a company ordered to clear the enemy from a strongly established position, Private Maidment encountered a very heavily defended position and was held up. Disregarding heavy fire, Private Maidment collected grenades and dashed up the slope towards the enemy positions. He was badly wounded in the chest and lung but destroyed several of the nearer machine gun posts and continued his onslaught. As the enemy pressed forward Private Maidment, showing entire disregard for cover and his own safety, held up the enemy until his ammunition was exhausted. He collapsed and was evacuated to Hospital as a stretcher case. Private Maidment's unsurpassed courage, fortitude and devotion to duty were an inspiring example.'.

After this, Thornton disappeared. His company commander had offered him assistance, but was apparently 'refused with abuse'. Several soldiers claimed they saw him at Templeton's Crossing Dressing Station, and there was a report he was seen on a stretcher between Templeton's Crossing and Myola.

He never checked in to the Myola Dressing Station. As no confirmed sighting of him was received after this, he was officially assumed to have died of wounds between Templeton's Crossing and Myola, his body abandoned, and his death not reported. Nevertheless, rumours of Thornton's survival, and even his return to Australia, persisted.