Max Stewart Goyder

Max Stewart Goyder was born in 1896 in Parkside, South Australia, the grandson of the state surveyor-general from whom the term Goyder Line originates. Max was a 19-year-old bank clerk when he enlisted in the AIF in May 1915. He embarked on HMAT Wandilla in Melbourne the following month.

Max served with No. 3 Australia General Hospital (3AGH) at West Mudros during the Gallipoli campaign. In one letter home, published in Adelaide’s Express and Telegraph, he gives a rich description of the pleasure of sightseeing on Lemnos during a rare day off.

In March 1916, Max was transferred to the 15th Field Ambulance. He served in Abbassia, Egypt, before sailing to France in June, where he was wounded in action in May 1917. In November that year he was awarded the Military Medal. The Commonwealth Gazette (no. 76) entry reads:

'During the period 24–30 September and while on duty Stretcher Bearing, this man’s work has been of exceptionally fine. With a total disregard of danger, and constant and never-failing coolness and courage under heavy shell fire, he has set a splendid example to his comrades. His work in former actions has been the same. This devotion to duty, gallantry and general good work all well worthy of recognition.'

Max returned to Australia from England on the Cluny Castle, on 23 March 1919.