VC Action: Thomas Leslie Axford VC, MM (18 June 1894–11 October 1983), also known as Jack Axford, was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Axford enlisted in the Australian military forces in 1912. He served in the 84th Infantry Regiment until July 1915, when he was allocated to the 11th Reinforcements of the 16th Battalion (S.A. and W.A.), Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He left for the front on board the HMAT Benalla in November.
Axford was wounded in August 1916, and in August 1917 was so badly wounded that he did not rejoin his battalion until January 1918. In February 1918 he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
The following deed took place for which Axford was awarded the VC:
On 4 July 1918 during the attack at Vaire and Hamel Woods, France, Axford’s battalion was in the centre of the 4th Brigade’s assault. As the Australians advanced up a slope they encountered heavy fire from the German front line. When the advance of the adjoining platoon was being delayed in uncut wire and machine-gun fire, and his company commander had become a casualty, Lance-Corporal Axford charged and threw bombs amongst the enemy gun crews. He then jumped into the trench, and charging with his bayonet, killed 10 of the enemy and took six prisoners. He threw the machine-guns over the parapet and the delayed platoon was able to advance. He then rejoined his own platoon and fought with it during the remainder of the operations. He had previously helped lay out the assault line tapes which were within 10 metres of the enemy.
In addition to the VC, Axford was also that month awarded the Military Medal and promoted to Corporal.
Axford returned to Western Australia in October 1918, and was discharged on 2 February 1919.
In June 1941, during World War II, he re-enlisted and served with the Western Australian Echelon and Records Office. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant in April 1947.
In later life he lived for many years in Perth where he died on 11 October 1983.
|
