b'10718: Maurice BUCKLEY (1891 - 1921) born at Hawthorn, Victoria. Buckley joined the 13th Light Horse Regiment on 18 December 1914 shortly after the outbreak of the War. In July 1915, he arrived in Egypt with reinforcements for his regiment, but in Cairo contracted a venereal disease. He was sent back to Australia with 274 other VD-infected men, and in September 1915 was admitted to an Army medical isolation-detention barracks at Langwarrin, near Melbourne, that had been established earlier in 1915 to receive and treat VD-infected soldiers from Egypt. In January 1916 he escaped from Langwarrin, and was declared a deserter on 20 March.On 6 May 1916 he enlisted again, this time in Sydney, using the name Gerald Sextoncomprising his recently deceased younger brothers first name and his mothers maiden name. He was sent to France in early 1917, where he fought on the Western Front. Following the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal he was promoted to sergeant in August 1918 and involved in the advance on the Hindenburg Line.He was awarded the Victoria Cross in the name Gerald Sexton for his actions on 18 September 1918, at Le Verguier near Saint-Quentin. His unit was advancing under cover of a creeping barrage but was held up by German machine gun posts. Buckley attacked them with his Lewis gun section and captured 30 German prisoners of war. When the advance was again held up by machine-gun fire, Sergeant Buckley, supported by another platoon, put the enemy guns out of action. Later, he again showed conspicuous initiative in capturing hostile posts and machine-guns. According to the citation, he was to the fore dealing with enemy machine-guns, rushing enemy posts, and performing great feats of bravery and endurance without faltering or for a moment taking cover. The award of the VC was originally gazetted under the name Gerald Sexton, but he had disclosed his real identity by the time that it was presented to him by King George V at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 29 May For illustration only 1919. His V.C. is displayed at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.19: Joseph Joe MAXWELL , VC, MC & Bar, DCM (1896 party with the utmost confidence when advancing to the 1967) born at Forest Lodge, Sydney N.S.W. Described as objective line. Storkeys VC and other medals are displayed atAustralias second most decorated soldier of the First World the National Army Museum (NZ) at Waiouru. War, he enlisted in the A.I.F. in February 1915, and served at Gallipoli before being transferred to the Western Front. In just Major General John Macquarie ANTILL, CB, CMG (1866 over twelve months he was commissioned and decorated four 1937) born at Picton, New South Wales. For his service duringtimes for his bravery.the First World War, Antill was created a Companion of theThe full citation for Maxwells Victoria Cross appeared in a Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1916. supplement to the London Gazette on 6 January 1919:17: Albert Chalmers BORELLA (1881 - 1968) born atLt. Joseph Maxwell, M.C., D.C.M., 18th Bn., A.I.F.Borung, Victoria. Borella served with the 26th BattalionFor most conspicuous bravery and leadership in attack on the at Gallipoli from 12 September 1915 until being evacuatedBeaurevoir-Fonsomme line near Estrees, North of St. Quentin, with jaundice on 19 November. He did not rejoin his unit untilon the 3rd October, 1918.5 February 1916, and then served on the Western Front in France, being wounded in the Battle of Pozires Heights onHis company commander was severely wounded early in 29 July. He achieved promotion from to sergeant and wasthe advance, and Lt. Maxwell at once took charge. The commissioned as an officersecond lieutenanton 7 Aprilenemy wire when reached under intense fire was found to 1917, and to lieutenant on 28 August 1917. He attendedbe exceptionally strong and closely supported by machine officer training in the United Kingdom. Borella received aguns, whereupon Lt. Maxwell pushed forward single-handed Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on 11 May 1917,through the wire and captured the most dangerous gun, killing was Mentioned in Despatches on 1 June 1917 and awardedthree and capturing four enemy. He thus enabled his company the Victoria Cross on 16 September 1918 for actions in Julyto penetrate the wire and reach the objective. Later, he again 1918. His citation for the Victoria Cross, gained at Villers- dashed forward and silenced, single-handed, a gun which Bretonneux, at the age of 37, reads in part: During the periodwas holding up a flank company. Subsequently, when with 17/18 July.Lieutenant Borella, whilst leading his platoon,two men only he attempted to capture a strong party of the charged and captured an enemy machine-gun, shooting twoenemy, he handled a most involved situation very skilfully, and gunners. He then led his party, by now reduced to 10 men andit was due to his resource that he and his comrades escaped.two Lewis guns, against a very strongly held trench, using hisThroughout the day Lt. Maxwell set a high example of revolver and later a rifle with great effect and causing manypersonal bravery, coupled with excellent judgment and quick casualties. Two large dug-outs were also bombed and 30decision.prisoners taken His Victoria Cross is privately held. In 2003, Maxwells medals were presented to the Australian Sir Charles Kinnaird MACKELLAR, K.C.M.G., M.B., Ch.M.War Memorial on a permanent loan basis.(1844 - 1926) born at Sydney, New South Wales. Member of the N.S.W. Legislative Council for nearly 40 years. His military service was as Surgeon, 2nd Regiment of Volunteer Rifles 1872 - 1882.'