'For gallantry and devotion to duty. During the advance on ZONNEBEKE RIDGE on 26th September, 1917, Sapper DAVIS, accompanied by 1956 Sapper John Joseph MAPLEBACK, with their amplifiers and high power buzzers, advanced with the attacking waves of infantry and established themselves at GARTER POINT. Their instruments were twice smashed by shell fire, and on each occasion both returned to a rear station for new instruments and brought them forward to GARTER PINT, proceeding each time through heavy enemy barrages. By their dogged determination and sense of duty, communication was secured between Brigade Headquarters and Brigade Forward Station during the attack.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Regimental number	1956
Place of birth	Corowa, New South Wales
Religion	Roman Catholic
Occupation	Engraver
Address	17 Mary Street, St Kilda, Victoria
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	19
Height	5' 6"
Weight	122 lbs
Next of kin	Father, George Mapleback, Merram Park, Barham, New South Wales
Previous military service	Served for 2 years in the Senior Cadets; 2 years in the Citizen Military Forces: still serving at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date	28 March 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll	21 March 1916
Place of enlistment	Melbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	39th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/56/2
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on 16 August 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	4th Divisional Signal Company
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Military Medal Recommendation date: 2 October 1917
Fate	Returned to Australia 20 October 1918
Medals	Military Medal 'For gallantry and devotion to duty. During the advance on ZONNEBEKE RIDGE on 26th September, 1917, Sapper DAVIS, accompanied by 1956 Sapper John Joseph MAPLEBACK, with their amplifiers and high power buzzers, advanced with the attacking waves of infantry and established themselves at GARTER POINT. Their instruments were twice smashed by shell fire, and on each occasion both returned to a rear station for new instruments and brought them forward to GARTER PINT, proceeding each time through heavy enemy barrages. By their dogged determination and sense of duty, communication was secured between Brigade Headquarters and Brigade Forward Station during the attack.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: 7 March 1918
Discharge date	9 May 1920
Family/military connections	Father: 9406 Sapper George MAPLEBACK, 4th Divisional Signal Company, returned to Australia, 13 March 1918; 2650 Pte George MAPLEBACK, 6th Bn, died of wounds, 7 October 1917.
Other details	War service: Western Front Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Borda', 20 October 1918; disembarked Adelaide, 15 December 1918, for onward travel by rail to Melbourne; discharged, Melbourne, 9 May 1920. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death	17 June 1965
Place of burial	Springvale Cemetery
Sources	NAA: B2455, MAPLEBACK John Joseph