At our Auction on the 2 February there is a large selection of books from the vast military collection of the late Major General Gordon Lindsay Maitland AO, OBE, RFD,ED. (1926-2018)
Major General Maitland was the last senior officer who had seen service in the Second World War. Maitland enlisted in the 2nd AIF on his 18th birthday and after completion of his recruit training was transferred to the Intelligence Unit and trained in the Japanese language. Following service in Timor Force where he was charged with locating and questioning possible war criminals he was appointed as a Lead Interpreter at the War Crimes Trials in Darwin.
Maitland returned to civilian life and his career in the Commonwealth Bank where he rose to become Chief Manager. He then went on to serve as CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. His success in his civilian career was matched with an equally successful career in the Army Reserve where his highest achievement was to be appointed Chief of the Army Reserve. Maitland was the only soldier to have enlisted as a private in the 2nd AIF and rise to the rank of Major General.
Maitland was very proud of his Scottish heritage and was appointed Chief of Clan Maitland in Australia.
In retirement, Maitland became a respected and renowned author and documenter of military history, researching and writing, resulting in the publication the following books:
- “The Second World War and its Australian Army Battle Honours”
- “The Battle History of the Royal NSW Regiment” in two volumes
- “Tales of Valour”
- “Honours and Awards”
- “The Story of Australia’s Flags”
Major General Maitland was a strong supporter of the veteran community, being heavily involved in the RSL, Sydney Legacy, the Royal United Services Institute and was a founding member of the Battle for Australia Committee and the Family and Friends of the First AIF. He served proudly as an Ambassador on the NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council and was instrumental in establishing the Sydney Anzac Day Dawn Service Trust. Many people were also educated and entertained when he led tours of the Great War battlefields of Northern France and Flanders.
The books in this collection were used as resource material and formed the basis of much of his research. In addition to his military Interests, Major General Maitland was an avid reader, enjoying the classics, poetry, art and the odd mystery.