Walter was a private in the Border Regiment (no 2047), from September 10 1914 until he received his commission. For part of this time he was stationed in Burma at Maymyo. It was a Hill Station established by the British who used it as the summer capital of British Burma.
He applied for a Commission on July 7 1916, his C.O. recommended him on August 1 1916. He was described as 5ft 7″ tall and he weighed 152lbs. He gave his occupation as auctioneer, and described himself as an expert motor driver!
He was commissioned April 28 1917, officer No. 160340 Walter Maxwell, 2nd Lieutenant 1st (Brecknock)Battalion South Wales Borderers (signalling section).
Walter died of heart failure at Mhow Station in India.
Captain Cockcroft wrote: “ He came into my company in September 1917, and we at once became great friends…He was a most reliable, keen young officer, and had a great command of men. No day was too long for him. My men loved him, and it was the greatest shock, and to me to hear of his death at Bangalore. …we have lost a great friend.” Captain MF Thomas said: “I had formed the highest of him. He was a very good officer, keen on his work, and a more willing and obliging man I have seldom met…He was very popular with his brother officers and he will be much missed by us all. He has done his duty well and he has given for his King and country quite as much as if he had been killed in action.” A fellow officer AT Nicholson said Maxwell: “was recognised as an authority in his special line of signalling and he will be greatly missed.”
Maxwell was awarded three campaign medals: 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory medal.
He was buried in Bangalore (Hosur Road) Cemetery, in the Presbyterian section. He is commemorated on the MADRAS 1914-1918 MEMORIAL which is situated at the rear of the Madras War Cemetery. It bears the names of more than 1,000 servicemen who died during the First World War who lie in many civil and cantonment cemeteries in various parts of India where it is not possible to maintain their graves in perpetuity.
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