Ronald Douglas Maxwell

Ronald Douglas Maxwell

Maxwell's grave
Born 1919
Died 23 December 1941 (aged 22)
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Hong Kong Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps
Rank Private
Battles/wars World War II, Battle of Hong Kong

Ronald Douglas Maxwell (1919 23 December 1941) was a British soldier during World War II, serving in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps. He is buried on the grounds of St. John's Cathedral.

Death

Three days before the end of the Battle of Hong Kong, Maxwell was killed in action in Wan Chai. The commander of the Volunteers ordered him to be buried in the nearest suitable spot. Three of his comrades took his body to the only place with greenery besides the Chater Road cricket ground, which happened to be the Anglican St. John's Cathedral.

After the war permission was given for Private Maxwell's remains to be left undisturbed. It is the only burial within the cathedral precinct, and a tombstone was placed on top of his resting place in 1947.