Frank Maxwell Brig-General, V.C., C.S.I., D.S.O. - A Memoir And Some Letters [Illustrated Edition]

Brig.-General Francis A. Maxwell V.C.

• Publisher: Lucknow Books
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9781786255488
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military Biographies
• Index: History

Includes the First World War Illustrations Pack – 73 battle plans and diagrams and 198 photos
"If future generations desire to know what the British Regular officer was like at his best in the days of the War they will find some useful information in these pages. Brig.-General Maxwell—as he was when killed in actin.in September 1917—won the Victoria Cross in the African War, and officers of his regiment and brigade stated that he qualified for that greatest of all honours more than once in the Great War. His extraordinary personal bravery was matched by his chivalrous winning personality. "He was a King among men loved by everyone, " wrote his orderly to Mrs Maxwell after his death. His letters are racy, interesting, valuable. He was one of the comparatively rare men loved war, thinking what a great and glorious life it would be "if one had no ties and love to make one look behind, instead of in front.""- Sir Cyril Falls.

FRANK MAXWELL

CHAPTER I — A MEMOIR

“This was the happy Warrior; this was he

That every man in arms should wish to be.”

Francis Aylmer Maxwell was born at Guildford in 1871, and was a descendant through both his parents of an ancient fighting stock. His father was a Maxwell of Dargavel, County Renfrew, and his mother a Lockhart of Milton Lockhart, County Lanark.

He was generally called Frank Maxwell, though to some of his friends he was known as “The Brat,” a nickname given to him by Lord Kitchener.

The family consisted of four daughters and seven sons, Frank being the third. The three elder sons—William, Lawrence, and Frank—and the youngest, Eustace, all went into the Indian Cavalry, and the remaining three—David, Pat, and Walter —though civilians by profession, served both in South Africa and in the European War. Of the seven brothers, six were on active service at the same time in South Africa, the eldest, William, being detained in India by a Staff appointment. He died in 1914, just before the European War, while commanding his regiment, the 10th Lancers, in Baluchistan. Lawrence commanded a cavalry brigade in France practically throughout the War. Frank and Eustace were both killed fighting in France, and Pat died in 1915 of pneumonia, contracted on active service. David served in Gallipoli and France, where he was very severely wounded, and Walter in France. Frank was much attached to his brothers, and there are constant allusions to them in his letters; moreover, their record of service as a family is sufficiently remarkable to justify this digression.

In appearance, Frank was essentially a representative of the Anglo-Saxon race, with his clear skin, keen eyes, and fair hair; of medium height, well set-up, and with a carriage and poise of head distinctly his own. Strength, sympathy, and humour were strongly marked in his features— while he seemed to radiate vitality and charm. The fresh candour of his nature, the gaiety of spirit, and his vigour were fascinating. His mind and heart were given to others and his outlook on life was large, with a complete absence of self-seeking. He was generous to a fault in appreciation of the work of others—singularly sensitive to human suffering and wrong-doing, with an intense love of animals.

Frank did not suffer fools gladly, and he had difficulty in restraining himself when persons and things did not come up to expectation; but his sense of justice made him accessible to any reasonable appeal, especially from those under him.

Anything that might be regarded as unbecoming the conduct of a gentleman was detestable in his eyes.

He always declared that he owed everything that was good in him to his mother’s influence and example, and indeed the foundation of his remarkable career was set in a pure and simple home. Religion always played a great part in his life, and the Bible was to Frank the most valuable thing that this earth affords.

From the United Service College at Westward Ho! he went to the Royal Military College, from which he passed out with honours.

Like the majority of officers destined for the Indian Army, Frank was not blessed with the riches of this life, and had to rely on his own resources to make his way in the world.

In 1891 he joined the Royal Sussex Regiment in India, and after a year’s service with this battalion was appointed to the 24th Punjab Infantry.

In his new surroundings Frank quickly found himself; the opportunities came, were as promptly seized and turned to good account.

His first experience of active service was in the Tochi Valley, in 1895, and this was shortly followed by the Chitral Relief Expedition. During this latter campaign Frank was attached to the Guides Infantry, and displayed conspicuous gallantry in bringing back under a heavy fire his colonel, who had been desperately wounded.

His behaviour in this action was specially brought to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief i n India, and he was recommended for the Victoria

Cross. Frank’s reputation had now been made, and in 1896 Col. George Richardson, Commandant of the 18th Bengal Lancers, who was as good a judge of a youngster as of a horse, soon secured Frank Maxwell for the 18th Lancers, on the books of which he remained for the rest of his service, being selected as Commandant a few months before he was killed; but alas! he never took up the appointment. About this time two other subalterns also joined the 18th Lancers—Wigram and Fitzgerald—and between this trio a firm and lasting friendship sprung up.

It is a curious coincidence that these three brother officers later held important posts of a semi-civil nature. Maxwell went to Lord Kitchener, and then to Lord Hardinge, Viceroy of India; Wigram to Lord Curzon, and afterwards to King George; while Fitzgerald succeeded Maxwell as Lord Kitchener’s “Fidus Achates.” and was drowned with his Chief.

In 1897 Frank was again on active service, first with the 18th Lancers in the Samana and the Kurram Valley, and then as A.D.C. to his uncle, Gen. Sir William Lockhart, who commanded the Tirah Expedition. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O.

In 1899 Frank was given the coveted post of Adjutant of the 18th Bengal Lancers. By now he had become a first-rate horseman and horsemaster; he was a typical “Beau Sabreur,” adored by his native officers and all ranks who would follow him anywhere. He had no self apart from his men, their interests were his interests.

No man worked harder in peace to train himself and those under him for the demands of war, and he was a devoted student of his profession. On service his courage and tenacity of purpose in attacking the enemy were proverbial. He was always in the thick of the fight, and never lost an opportunity of putting to the test his exceptional skill in swordsmanship, mounted combat, and shooting.

In January, 1900, Frank went to South Africa in charge of remounts from India, but was soon transferred to Roberts’ Horse, with which regiment he served until the end of the year.

For his gallantry at Sanna’s Post he was awarded the V.C. under the following conditions:—

“Lieut. Maxwell was one of three officers not belonging to ‘Q’ Battery, R.H.A., specially mentioned by Lord Roberts as having shown the greatest gallantry and disregard of danger in carrying out the self-imposed duty of saving the guns of that battery during the affair of Korn Spruit on March 31st, 1900. This officer went out on five occasions and assisted to bring in two guns and three limbers, one of which he, Capt. Humphreys, and some gunners dragged in by hand. He also went out with Capt. Humphreys and Lieut. Stirling, to try to get the last gun in, and remained there till the attempt was abandoned. During a previous campaign (the Chitral Expedition of 1895) Lieut. Maxwell displayed gallantry in the removal of the body of Lieut.-Col. F. D. Battye, Corps of Guides, under fire, for which, though recommended, he received no reward.”

Frank was always concerned that some distinction was not conferred on his orderly. Dost Muhammad Khan, who quietly held Frank’s horse during the action, and though both man and horse were hit, he never said a word until his wounds were some time later discovered. He was eventually awarded the Indian Order of Merit. This faithful companion has since then been promoted to be a Native Officer in the 18th Lancers, and in other campaigns has won the Order of British India, the Indian Distinguished Service Medal, and was appointed A.D.C. to the Commander-in-Chief in India.

In December, 1900, Frank went as A.D.C. to Lord Kitchener. His first meeting with Lord Kitchener was always the subject of much amusement to his friends. Lord Kitchener was on the lookout for an A.D.C., and had heard of a dashing young officer called Maxwell, but was sceptical of the judgment of others. Thinking the war was at an end, and having received urgent requests to return to duty with his regiment in India, Frank was preparing to leave South Africa, and was ordered to take despatches from Lord Roberts at Pretoria to Cape Town. While Lord Roberts was giving him his instructions Lord Kitchener joined them, and lost no time in singling him out for observation. History relates that Frank, finding himself the centre of the great Field-Marshal’s gaze, became most uncomfortable, and wondered what he had done, or was wearing, to incur displeasure.

The situation was soon cleared, for when Lord Roberts withdrew Lord Kitchener asked Frank if he would come to him as an A.D.C.

Thinking there would be no more fighting, he, with his unconventional nature, declined the invitation. However, Lord Kitchener suggested he had better think it over.

This he did during the journey to Cape Town, and coming to the conclusion that perhaps there might still be more fighting, he promptly returned to Pretoria and joined Lord Kitchener’s Staff.

From this date there started between Lord Kitchener and “the Brat” an extraordinary kinship of feeling and sympathy which never waned. No two men understood each other better, and “the Brat’s” outspoken conversations and chaff with Lord Kitchener became a by-word.

When Peace was finally ratified with the Boers Frank returned to England with Lord Kitchener, and in 1902 accompanied him to India.

He used constantly to speak of the happy relations that subsisted between Lord Kitchener and his personal Staff. That men like Maxwell, Hubert Hamilton, Birdwood, Victor Brooke, Marker, Barnes, and Fitzgerald should have been so devoted to their Chief and served him so long certainly bears testimony to a side of his character not always realised by the public.

As A.D.C. to Lord Kitchener in India no one was more at home in all companies or was better known in paper-chasing, polo, and pig-sticking circles. Frank carried everything before him on his favourite charger, “English Lord,” the same Australian horse which was wounded at Sanna’s Post, and afterwards established a great reputation with the Staff College Drag.

In 1904 Frank went to the Staff College at Camberley, and in 1906 married Miss Charlotte Osborne of Currandooley, New South Wales.

He returned with Mrs. Maxwell to India in February, 1907, and served with his regiment and in various Staff appointments until March, 1910, when he was sent to Australia as Instructing Officer of Light Horse. His naturalness and adaptability soon made him a “persona grata with the “Diggers.”.

In November, 1910, he was once more back in India as Military Secretary to the Viceroy, and held that appointment throughout Lord Hardinge s tenure of office, and did not return to England till April, 1916.

For his work in connection with the Coronation Durbar he was given the C.S.I.

During the first eighteen months of the War Frank was eating his heart out that the Viceroy could not spare his services. His delight at being sent out to France within three weeks of his arrival in London was like that of a school boy.

He was shortly given command of the 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, which particularly distinguished itself in the taking of Trônes Wood, and later of Thiépval. For his gallantry at Thiépval Frank was awarded a bar to his D.S.O., and afterwards was promoted to Brevet-Col. In October, 1916, he was selected for the Command of the 27th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division, and commanded them continuously until he was killed in September, 1917. He was out at the time reconnoitring with his brigade-major and orderly, and a full account of what occurred, as described by his orderly in a letter to Mrs. Maxwell, is given at the end of the volume. His unorthodox methods of reconnaissance and complete disregard of personal danger have been criticised, and it is only fair that his point of view, whether right or wrong, should be realised. There was never anything of bravado in his conduct, but he acted from a conviction that to seek safety was useless, while to run certain risks enabled a commander to gain invaluable knowledge, by which he might kill more of the enemy with slighter loss to his own troops. His attitude may be summarised in his own words, written from France shortly before he was killed :—

“As a matter of fact, I don’t believe in running from shells, unless quite certain that they are being fired at one—which is seldom—particularly with big stuff. Nor does bobbing appeal to me as being useful, while it certainly is quite undignified. If men are about, a pipe and upright posture show a better example.”

Three memorials fittingly perpetuate his name and pay homage to a gracious and cherished memory.

His friends on the Viceregal Staff have placed a tablet in the little Church of Boileaugang below Viceregal Lodge, Simla, where he often used to worship.

A tribute from the officers, non-commissioners, and men of the 27th Infantry Brigade (Scottish Division) is to be found in St. Giles’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, with the following inscription :—

“An ideal soldier and a very perfect gentleman, beloved by all his men.”

On the walls of the Chapel in the grounds of the United Services College, Windsor, which is an offshoot of his old ...

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• PREFACE
• LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
• CHAPTER I - A MEMOIR
• CHAPTER II - EARLY YEARS-INDIAN FRONTIER
• CHAPTER III - SOUTH AFRICA
• CHAPTER IV - INDIA AND AUSTRALIA
• CHAPTER V - FRANCE, MAY TO OCTOBER, 1916.
• CHAPTER VI - FRANCE, OCTOBER, 1916 TO SEPTEMBER, 1917