Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal T. Maddams, 57th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his gallantry east of Bullecourt, 11 May 1917, when he kept his Lewis Gun in action for 12 hours, despite the rest of his crew being killed or wounded. He was twice wounded in action during the course of the war

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1996 L. Cpl. T. Maddams. 57/Aust: Inf:); 1914-15 Star (1996 Pte. T. Maddams 6/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1996 L-Cpl T. Maddams. 6 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, BWM details erased, good very fine (4)
£500-£600

M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘East of Bullecourt on the 11th May 1917, Lance Corporal Maddams showed great courage and devotion to duty under fire. After an attack made by the Battalion on our left it was necessary to take over a position on the front line. Maddams’ Lewis Gun team was moved over and posted in a position vacated by the other Battalion. The portion of trench taken over suffered very heavily from shell fire and although all the crew had become casualties, Lance Corporal Maddams kept his gun in action alone for 12 hours until relief could be sent to him. His conduct was of the very highest order.’

Thomas Maddams was born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia in 1893. A miner by profession, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Bendigo, 9 January 1915. Maddams served with the 6th Australian Infantry Battalion in Gallipoli, before being evacuated due to Jaundice. He transferred to the 57th Battalion, and served with them in the French theatre of war from June 1916.

Maddams advanced to Lance Corporal, 2 August 1916, and was wounded in action, 31 March 1917. He was wounded in action for a second time, 11 March 1918, and returned to Australia in March 1919. Maddams was discharged in May of the same year.