Coulthart found the stunning photographs of Australian World War I soldiers in the attic of a French farmhouse a decade ago.

He has since produced two editions of his book, The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt.

The photos inspired artist George Petrou’s The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt Exhibition, which is currently on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross.

Both prominently mentioned Maxwell during a recent presentation at the museum on the discovery of the photographs and the exhibition.

Maxwell, one of Australia's greatest heroes, was featured on one of the glass negatives found among the thousands of the lost Diggers.

But long before Lieutenant Joe Maxwell VC became the centre of attention for the journalist and artist, he had already had a Shoalhaven connection.

The VC holder was guest of honour at a Nowra gathering of Shoalhaven Diggers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Anzac at the Nowra RSL in April 1965.

The Nowra Leader, The Shoalhaven and Nowra News and South Coast Register each reported the honoured guest’s visit.

And it seems in the past 50 years not much has changed - Mr Maxwell told guests at a commemorative dinner that “Anzac has become a special part of our lives”.

“Fifty years ago today, Australian and New Zealand were born in war and since that day the spirit of Anzac has lived on and become a very special part of our lives,” he said.

The dinner was arranged by a combined committee representing RSL Sub-branches and Ex-Servicemen's Club in the Shoalhaven led by Nowra Sub-branch president Mr D. Elvy.

The dinner was held in the Nowra RSL Hall on April 10, followed by a concert by prominent Sydney artists.

Around 280 guests attended the function, including 150 Diggers and 30 War Widows. Eleven different units were represented.

Three Boer War veterans, Mr A.M. Ratcliffe, Mr S. Smith and Mr H. Deaman were also present.

Prior to the dinner Joe Maxwell laid a wreath in a short ceremony at the Memorial Gates at the Nowra Showground.

Maxwell was one of Australia’s most celebrated and decorated soldiers of World War I.

He received the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery and leadership during an attack on the Beaurevoir-Fonsome Line [part of the Hindenburg Line], north of St Quentin on October 3, 1918.

With his commander severely wounded, Maxwell took over, disposed of an enemy machine-gun crew, then led his company to take the objective.

Later, he went forward alone to silence a machine-gun position and then, with two others, attempted to capture a strongly held enemy post.

Although captured, he managed to draw his revolver and kill two of the enemy before escaping with his men under heavy rifle fire.

His award of the VC was approved in January 1919, approximately six weeks after the photograph which is part of The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt collection was taken.

He received the Military Cross for gallantry at Ploegsteert in France and later added a bar to the award when he rescued the crew of a burning tank under heavy enemy fire.

His first decoration was the Distinguished Service Medal, awarded when he was a Company Sergeant Major in the third battle of Ypres in September 1917.

Maxwell first saw action at Gallipoli where he arrived in August of 1915.

It is interesting, another 50 years on, Nowra RSL Sub-Branch secretary Rick Meehan has held similar celebrations over the past few years as part of the centenary of World War I commemorations.

Mr Meehan’s efforts to remember the efforts of Australians in World War I has led to the formation of the highly popular Digger Day in the Shoalhaven.

The sixth annual Digger Day was held last month at Shoalhaven Rugby Club, with Mr Meehan having huge plans for next year’s centenary of the end of WWI with an event featuring a number of VC recipients from around the world.