[2] In July 1915, at the age of 21, Axford joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) for service in the First World War.

During the Third Battle of Ypres,[4] in fighting at Gapaard Farm, Axford was badly wounded in the knee by shrapnel.

[1][5] It was during the Battle of Hamel, on 4 July 1918, that the events that led to Axford being awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) took place.

The citation for his VC read:[6] On 4 July 1918 during the attack at Vaire and Hamel Woods, France, when the advance of the adjoining platoon was being delayed in uncut wire and machine-gun fire, and his company commander had become a casualty, Lance-Corporal Axford charged and threw bombs amongst the enemy gun crews.

He then rejoined his own platoon and fought with it during the remainder of the operations.In addition to being awarded the VC, Axford was promoted to corporal several days after the battle.

[1] Axford returned to his old job at the Boulder Brewery, then went to learn a trade at Kalgoorlie Foundry, but was not eligible under the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act.

[8] He had married Lily Maud Foster, a shop assistant, at St Mary's Cathedral, Perth, on 27 November 1926.

[12] On Anzac Day 2018, Axford and fellow VC recipient John Carroll, were honoured with a paver on the Walk of Fame in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.