A fine Second World War North-West Europe operations M.B.E. group of ten awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 E. T. Maxfield, Royal Armoured Corps, late Worcestershire Regiment and Gloucestershire Regiment: a veteran of the Somme, where he was severely wounded in October 1916, he went to land on “Gold Beach” on D-Day with 61 Reconnaissance Regiment, displaying courage on ‘many occasions’ during ensuing operations

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1914-15 Star (21386 L. Cpl., Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (21386 Cpl., Worc. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., India (S. Sjt., I.U.L.), mounted as worn, generally very fine or better (10) £800-1000

M.B.E. London Gazette 21 June 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Warrant Officer Class 2 Maxfield enlisted, under age, in the Worcestershire Regiment 30 years ago today, on 2 February 1915. Throughout that time his conduct has been of the highest standard, and his record entirely unblemished.

He was appointed Lance-Corporal in 1915, and went to the Middle East in November. In 1916 he went with the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, to France. He fought on the Somme and at Ypres. In October he was severely wounded near Bapaume.

After the War he served two years with the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, and became a Sergeant in 1920.

When his battalion was disbanded, he was transferred to the Gloucestershire Regiment. He served in India from 1922 until 1937. From then until the start of the War he was training recruits at the depot. In 1940 he was promoted C.Q.M.S. and joined the 7th Battalion, Glosters in Ireland. Here he was promoted to C.S.M.

He joined 61 Reconnaissance Regiment in October 1941 as S.S.M. His work for and value to this regiment merit the highest praise. In Ireland and England, during the training years, his conduct set the fine standard for his fellow Warrant Officers and Sergeants. His unfailing courtesy to all ranks, his selfless devotion to his squadron and the Regiment, and his example of strict yet friendly discipline have been in great measure responsible for the spirit of the Regiment. There is not a man in the Regiment who was not glad to carry out his orders.

On active service again, this time at the age of 47, he has been Sergeant-Major of ‘A’ Echelon since shortly after D-Day. His experience, initiative and on many occasions courage have made him quite invaluable.

It would be hard to imagine a finer Warrant Officer than S.S.M. Maxfield, or a more faithful servant to the Army. I recommend him most strongly for this award.’

Edwin Thomas Maxfield originally entered the Balkans theatre of war in December 1915, but, as verified by the above recommendation, later served in France on the Somme, as a Corporal in the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, and was severely wounded there in October 1916.

Transferring to the Gloucestershires after the Great War, he served in India 1922-37, and was awarded his Jubilee 1935 Medal while employed as a Sergeant in the 1st Battalion (the official roll refers), in addition to qualifying for the L.S. & G.C. Medal. And his subsequent award of the M.B.E. was mainly in respect of services in 61 Reconnaissance Regiment, R.A.C., in North-West Europe from D-Day to February 1945 - the landings on “Gold Beach” met with strong and determined enemy resistance, our casualties amounting to over 400 killed, wounded or missing.