Maitland Madge facts for kids

Maitland Madge was a brave Australian soldier. He is thought to be the first Indigenous Australian to receive the Military Medal during the First World War. He also fought in the Second World War. In 1941, Japanese forces captured him in Singapore. He was held as a prisoner of war at Changi Prison until he died in 1944.

Early Life and Family

Maitland Madge was born in March 1894 in Cooktown, Australia. Cooktown is located on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. His mother was an Indigenous woman named Ella. His father, Richard Madge, was an immigrant from Devon, England.

In 1905, Maitland's father took an important step. He applied for Maitland to be free from the Aboriginals Protection Act of 1897. This law could have forced Maitland to live on a government mission. To prevent this, Richard Madge officially registered Maitland's birth. He also enrolled him at Kelvin Grove Boys School. The government's report from 1905 confirmed that Maitland was granted this special exemption at age ten.

Serving in the First World War

Maitland Madge joined the army in Brisbane in August 1915. He was 21 years old. After training, Private Madge left for the First World War on October 21, 1915. He sailed on a ship called the HMAT Seang Bee. He was part of the 11th Reinforcements for the 15th Battalion.

After a long journey, his battalion arrived in Marseilles, France. They then traveled to the Western Front, where much of the fighting took place. The 15th Battalion fought in very tough battles, including one at Pozieres.

Bravery at Pozieres

On August 11, 1916, Madge was reported as wounded near Pozieres. He was taken to a hospital in Etaples. During the days leading up to this, from August 5 to 11, Madge showed incredible bravery. He worked as a messenger, carrying important information between different army groups. He did this even though enemy artillery shells were constantly falling around him.

All the telephone lines were broken. This meant that messages about the battle had to be carried by hand. Madge moved through dangerous areas without caring for his own safety. His actions helped the army stay connected and understand what was happening.

A special report from April 19, 1917, described his actions:

These men [3483 Maitland MADGE and 4580 Sydney MAY] are recommended for conspicuous bravery while acting as messenger during operations north west of POZIERES from 5 to 11 August 1916. These men were continually moving to and from Company and Battalion Headquarters under intense H.E. artillery barrage. The telephone lines were being continually broken, and the only method of communication was then by messenger. They showed an utter disregard of their own safety, and an admirable contempt for danger, and it was entirely owing to their self-sacrifice that the operations were so well supported by our own artillery and that Battalion and Brigade Headquarters were so closely in touch with progress of operations. Our losses in messengers were very heavy. There were several instances of these messengers being blown up by H.E. shells exploding near them, and some of them were rendered semi unconscious from shell shock, but after a short rest returned to their dangerous work

Because of his amazing courage, Madge was later given the Military Medal. He is likely one of the first Indigenous Australians to ever receive this special award from the King.

Madge received the Military Medal on October 1, 1916, while he was still recovering in the hospital. He rejoined his battalion on January 29, 1917. On July 4, 1918, he was wounded again. Even after being hurt a second time, he stayed on duty. He remained in France for the rest of the war. In April 1919, he returned to Australia and was officially discharged from the army on May 24, 1919.

Life Between the Wars

Not much is known about Maitland Madge's life after the First World War. In 1925, records show he worked as a laborer at a lime quarry in Gore, in the Maranoa area. By 1936, he was in North Queensland. He was listed as a laborer in Halifax.

Serving in the Second World War

When the Second World War began in August 1939, Madge was working as a security guard in Townsville. In October 1939, he volunteered for the Australian Army again. He joined the 1st Garrison Battalion in Townsville. He was over 45 years old at this time. His father had passed away in 1931. Madge's army papers listed his cousin, Miss Violet Madge of Townsville, as his closest relative.

By August 1941, Madge was part of the 2/26 Battalion, 8th Division. They had arrived in Singapore. He became ill and was captured by Japanese forces in February 1942. He survived more than two years as a prisoner at the Changi Camp. Records show he died on June 7, 1944, while still a prisoner of war. He was buried at the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore.

Legacy and Remembrance

On November 11, 2015, a special ceremony was held at the Australian War Memorial for Remembrance Day. This service honored Australia's Indigenous soldiers. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall placed poppies next to the names of Private Maitland Madge and Corporal Charles Harry Orme. Their names are on the Roll of Honour wall, remembering their service and sacrifice.