Greater Saint John Community Foundation, Herbert Maxwell

Charles Herbert Maxwell

A Profile in Generosity

A Family Man

Charles Herbert Maxwell (right) was born July 25th, 1916 in Saint John, N.B. He is the last remaining and middle child of a family of 5 boys and 3 girls who grew up on Somerset Street. At 87, Herb remains an active member in the St. Rose Parish and is in fine health. He enjoys reading, gardening and family visits. Herb was married on June 28th, 1947, after World War II to Margery Savage at Assumption Church Rectory (left). The Maxwells delighted in their 2 daughters, Christina and Lorraine, their families, careers and later grandchildren Kate, Matthew and Emily. A great communicator, with a positive outlook, Herb’s life has been a full one. Since losing Margery in 1999, Herb has been residing at the Ridgewood Veteran’s Centre and is very pleased with the care he receives.

Giving to his Country

After graduating from Saint John High School in 1933, Herb enlisted in the military (below, center). He perfected his skills in the militia from 1933-1939. Eventually he became an artillery sergeant and spent time on Partridge Island as part of a force protecting the Canadian coast. When offered a promotion to Captain, he rejected it in return for an opportunity to go overseas as part of the Canadian Infantry Corps. On November 5th, 1944 Herb went overseas as an officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They landed in Ostend, Belgium. On March 7th, 1945 during the Battle of Veen in Germany, Herb’s P.I.A.T. gun ran out of ammunition while firing on a German stronghold. They returned fire with a grenade that exploded above the trench that Herb and the platoon he commanded were occupying. It left him with ruptured eardrums, deaf and in tremendous pain. More importantly, his right leg was severely wounded and several of his close friends killed. It was 9 days of pain and suffering as a prisoner of war, before Herb reached a German hospital run by Ursuline Nuns in Langenberg. There a German doctor removed his right leg and treated numerous wounds. Herb subsequently developed diphtheria, and to make things worse, he was the only English-speaking allied soldier at the hospital. He recalls thinking about his Aunt’s canned peaches rather then his own more immediate needs. In July of 1945, after the Americans took control of Germany, Herb returned home to Saint John. He was awarded a M.I.D (Mention in Despatch) and recommended for The Military Cross for his distinguished service as a Lieutenant during the War and noted, “You can only do your best and then you must be satisfied with that.”

Helping the Sick and Disabled

Before and after the war, Herb worked for the Canada Permanent Mortgage Corporation as an accountant. In 1946 he went to work for the Department of Veteran Affairs. A forerunner of social workers today, he helped veterans with rehabilitation and assessments at the old Lancaster D.V.A. hospital in West Saint John until he retired in 1973. He looked after tuberculosis patients and became involved in educational training courses, both personally and for others. As a strong believer in education and training, he found this very rewarding. He rose to the position of Supervisor of Social Welfare at the hospital.

Giving Back to his Community

Throughout Herb’s life he has been a caring public-spirited individual as husband, father and friend of the community. From serving his country, helping veterans, Boy Scouts, The NB Competitive Festival of Music, to The Royal Canadian Legion, he has given to others. He accomplishes this today through charitable giving to some 40 different organizations, including the War Amps, Easter Seals/March of Dimes, Canadian Geographical Society, Alzheimer’s Society, Arthritis Society, YM/YWCA and the Greater Saint John Community Foundation to name few. Interestingly enough, one of Herb’s good friends since high school, Dr. Jim Lewin (above, right), is also a Greater Saint John Community Foundation benefactor, with a military background. Content and accepting of his own circumstances, Herb generously observes that these are organizations that he believes in and therefore he contributes to them as his budget allows. “Money is not everything”, he philosophically concludes.

Charles Herbert Maxwell A Profile in Generosity A Family Man Charles Herbert Maxwell (right) was born July 25th, 1916 in Saint John, N.B. He is the last remaining and middle child of a family of 5 boys and 3 girls who grew up on Somerset Street. At 87, Herb remains an active member in the St. Rose Parish and is in fine health. He enjoys reading, gardening and family visits. Herb was married on June 28th, 1947, after World War II to Margery Savage at Assumption Church Rectory (left). The Maxwells delighted in their 2 daughters, Christina and Lorraine, their families, careers and later grandchildren Kate, Matthew and Emily. A great communicator, with a positive outlook, Herb’s life has been a full one. Since losing Margery in 1999, Herb has been residing at the Ridgewood Veteran’s Centre and is very pleased with the care he receives. Giving to his Country After graduating from Saint John High School in 1933, Herb enlisted in the military (below, center). He perfected his skills in the militia from 1933-1939. Eventually he became an artillery sergeant and spent time on Partridge Island as part of a force protecting the Canadian coast. When offered a promotion to Captain, he rejected it in return for an opportunity to go overseas as part of the Canadian Infantry Corps. On November 5th, 1944 Herb went overseas as an officer of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. They landed in Ostend, Belgium. On March 7th, 1945 during the Battle of Veen in Germany, Herb’s P.I.A.T. gun ran out of ammunition while firing on a German stronghold. They returned fire with a grenade that exploded above the trench that Herb and the platoon he commanded were occupying. It left him with ruptured eardrums, deaf and in tremendous pain. More importantly, his right leg was severely wounded and several of his close friends killed. It was 9 days of pain and suffering as a prisoner of war, before Herb reached a German hospital run by Ursuline Nuns in Langenberg. There a German doctor removed his right leg and treated numerous wounds. Herb subsequently developed diphtheria, and to make things worse, he was the only English-speaking allied soldier at the hospital. He recalls thinking about his Aunt’s canned peaches rather then his own more immediate needs. In July of 1945, after the Americans took control of Germany, Herb returned home to Saint John. He was awarded a M.I.D (Mention in Despatch) and recommended for The Military Cross for his distinguished service as a Lieutenant during the War and noted, “You can only do your best and then you must be satisfied with that.” Helping the Sick and Disabled Before and after the war, Herb worked for the Canada Permanent Mortgage Corporation as an accountant. In 1946 he went to work for the Department of Veteran Affairs. A forerunner of social workers today, he helped veterans with rehabilitation and assessments at the old Lancaster D.V.A. hospital in West Saint John until he retired in 1973. He looked after tuberculosis patients and became involved in educational training courses, both personally and for others. As a strong believer in education and training, he found this very rewarding. He rose to the position of Supervisor of Social Welfare at the hospital. Giving Back to his Community Throughout Herb’s life he has been a caring public-spirited individual as husband, father and friend of the community. From serving his country, helping veterans, Boy Scouts, The NB Competitive Festival of Music, to The Royal Canadian Legion, he has given to others. He accomplishes this today through charitable giving to some 40 different organizations, including the War Amps, Easter Seals/March of Dimes, Canadian Geographical Society, Alzheimer’s Society, Arthritis Society, YM/YWCA and the Greater Saint John Community Foundation to name few. Interestingly enough, one of Herb’s good friends since high school, Dr. Jim Lewin (above, right), is also a Greater Saint John Community Foundation benefactor, with a military background. Content and accepting of his own circumstances, Herb generously observes that these are organizations that he believes in and therefore he contributes to them as his budget allows. “Money is not everything”, he philosophically concludes.