Sergeant Thomas Leslie Axford

Service number 3399
Ranks Held Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private
Birth Date 18/06/1894
Birth Place Australia: South Australia, Carrieton
Death Date 11/10/1983
Final Rank Sergeant
Service Australian Imperial Force
Unit 16th Australian Infantry Battalion
Place Carrieton
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Tom Axford (1894-1983) was born in South Australia but grew up in Coolgardie, Western Australia. At the time of his enlistment he was working in Kalgoorlie. Axford arrived in France in 1916 and was treated for shell-shock in August. A year later he received shrapnel wounds and was out of action for four months. In 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal, but his finest hour came in July that year.

During the battle of Hamel, Axford assisted an adjoining platoon by attacking an enemy machine-gun position with bombs and bayonet, killing ten Germans and capturing six, allowing the platoon to come forward and join him in the advance. Of his action he later commented, "I must have been mad". He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Axford served in a headquarters unit in Western Australia during the Second World War. In his civilian life he was a clerk and a businessman.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 18/06/1894
Other 1912 - 1915 Served in the 84th Infantry Regiment of the Australian military Forces.
Date of enlistment 09/08/1915
Date of embarkation 01/11/1915 Embarked on HMAT Benalla.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 19/07/1915 Allocation to the 11th Reinforcements of the 16th Battalion.
Date wounded 08/1916 Shell shocked.
Date wounded 08/1917
Date of honour or award 04/07/1918 Awarded the Victoria Cross for action at Vaire and Hamel Woods.
Date promoted 07/1918 Promoted to Corporal.
Date returned to Australia 19/10/1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 05/07/1918
Date promoted 02/1918 Promoted to Lance Corporal.
Date of honour or award 07/1918 Awarded the Military Medal.
Date of discharge 06/02/1919 Discharged in Perth.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 25/06/1941 Served with the Western Australian Echelon and Records Office.
Date of discharge 14/04/1947 Discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
Date of death 11/10/1983