| Joe Scales | |
| Fullname: | Joseph Lindley Scales |
| Birth Date: | 25 July 1895 |
| Birth Place: | Mitta Mitta, Victoria |
| Death Place: | Macleod, Victoria |
| Originalteam: | Mitta Mitta FC |
| Height: | 178 cm |
| Weight: | 81 kg |
| Statsend: | 1924 |
| Years1: | 1921–23 |
| Games Goals1: | 25 (0) |
| Years2: | 1924 |
| Games Goals2: | 15 (5) |
| Games Goalstotal: | 40 (5) |
Joseph Lindley Scales, (25 July 1895 – 29 July 1967) was an Australian soldier and Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy[1] and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[2]
Scales was appointed as Prahan's captain-coach in the VFA in 1925, when Howell's engagement was terminated.[3]
Born in Mitta Mitta, Victoria, Scales joined the Australian Imperial Force on 1 February 1915 for service in the First World War.[4] He was awarded the Military Medal for leading a daylight patrol and gathering valuable intelligence at Bapaume in March 1917 and was commissioned a second lieutenant the following month.[4] [5] At Poelcappelle in October, he led a platoon with "conspicuous gallantry" and singlehandedly cleared a German machine-gun post, for which he was recommended for the Victoria Cross. He was instead awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[4] [6]
Scales was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches and, with the war over, returned to Australia in July 1919 and soon after relinquished his commission.[4] He returned to service in the Second World War, rising to the rank of captain while posted to Headquarters, Australian Military Forces.[7]
Older brother of Jack Scales.