Born in Islington, Haxell worked as an electrician and joined the Electrical Trades Union in 1929.
[3] A prominent and militant activist, he supported an unofficial strike in Chorley, Lancashire, in 1939, and as a result was barred from holding office in the union for five years.
[3][4] Working with other CPGB members, Haxell was central to successful opposition to a wage freeze during 1950 and 1951, and was elected as assistant general secretary of the union in 1948.
[3] When the general secretary, Walter Stevens, died suddenly in 1954, Haxell stood in the election for the post, defeating Jock Byrne.
Haxell returned to working as an electrician, and was later permitted to rejoin the union, but not to hold office in it.