1900, Sannah's Post
MAXWELL, FRANCIS AYLMER, Lieutenant, was born on the 7th September 1871, son of Surgeon Major Thomas Maxwell, The Grange, Guildford. He was gazetted to the Royal Sussex Regiment on 24 November 1893; joined the Indian Staff Corps on the 15th December 1893, and served in Waziristan in 1895 (Medal with clasp), and in Chitral 1895 (Medal and clasp); on the North-West Frontier as ADC to the GOC Tirah Expeditionary Force from the 23rd December 1897 to 1898; was mentioned in Despatches; was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 20 May, 1898]: "Francis Aylmer Maxwell, Lieutenant, Indian Staff Corps". The insignia was presented to him by the Queen at Windsor 25 June 1898. He served in South Africa with Roberts's Horse, and as ADC to Lord Kitchener, Chief of Staff, South Africa, 1 November 1900 to 28 November 1900, and as ADC to Lord Kitchener, General Officer Commanding in Chief the Forces in South Africa, 29 November 1903 to 12 July, 1902. For his services in this campaign he received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, a Brevet Majority 22 August 1902, and was awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 6 March, 1901]: "Francis Aylmer Maxwell, Lieutenant, Indian Staff Corps (attached to Roberts's Light Horse). Lieutenant Maxwell was one of three officers, not belonging to Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, specially mentioned by Lord Roberts as having shown the greatest gallantry and disregard of danger in carrying put the self-imposed duty of saving the guns of that battery during the affair of Korn Spruit on the 31st March, 1900. This officer went out on five different occasions, and assisted to bring in two guns and three limbers, one of which he, Captain Humphreys, and some gunners dragged in by hand. He also went out with Captain Humphreys and Lieutenant Stirling to try and get the last gun in, and remained there till the last gun was abandoned. During a previous campaign (the Chitral Expedition of 1895) Lieutenant Maxwell displayed gallantry in the removal of the body of Lieutenant Colonel Battye, Corps of Guides, under fire, from which, though recommended, he received no reward. Lieutenant Maxwell became Captain, Indian Army, 10 July, 1901. On the 28th November 1902, he was given the appointment of ADC to Lord Kitchener, Commander in-Chief. East Indies. In 1903 he went to the Staff College, Camberley, and in 1906 married Charlotte Alice Hamilton, third daughter of P H Osborne of Currandooley, New South Wales, and they had two daughters. He attained his Majority in the Indian Army 7 November 1909; served as Brigade Major from the 7th November 1900 to the 3rd March 1910, and as Major, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces from the 4th March 1910. From the 23rd December 1910 until 1916, he was Military Secretary to Lord Hardinge, Governor-General of India. He was created a CSI in 1911 and became Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 29 November 1915. In the European War he commanded the 12th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment from June to October 1916 and on the 25th November 1916, he was awarded a bar to the Distinguished Service Order: "Francis Aylmer Maxwell, VC, CSI, DSO, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (temporary Lieutenant Colonel), 18th Lancers, Indian Army. He led his battalion with the greatest courage and initiative. Later he reorganized three battalions and consolidated the position under very heavy tire. He has previously done very fine work". For his services in the taking of Thiepval on 26 September he was appointed to the command of the 18th (KGO) Lancers, Indian Army, in October 1916, but he continued serving with the 12th Middlesex. Brigadier-General F A Maxwell was killed in action near Ypres on 21 September 1917. "Many will have seen with a pang the name of Brigadier General F A Maxwell, VC, on the roll of honour. The third of several brothers, his brilliant military career is well known. Before he was thirty he had the VC (for which he was twice recommended), the DSO, and the Medals of the Chitral and South African campaigns. Later he was given the Order of the Star of India, and during this war he had been given a bar to his DSO for 'conspicuous bravery and leadership'. He served on Lord Kitchener's Staff in South Africa and India, and later was Military Secretary to the Viceroy, Lord Hardinge. But those who knew him best and loved him most know that they have lost more than a brilliant soldier and charming companion. It seems impossible to believe that that gallant spirit and intense vitality have passed beyond this world. He could ever be counted on for encouragement and sympathy — once a friend always a friend — and only those who knew him intimately could appreciate his wonderful capacity for friendship. His great appreciation of others was as marked as his intense modesty and reserve about himself. It is impossible to think of Frank Maxwell as dead. He assuredly, with all that gallant band who have passed on, must 'come transfigured back secure from change in their high-hearted ways. And in the possession of his endless friendship those who mourn for him will rest content'".
