Victoria Cross: F. A. Maxwell

FRANCIS AYLMER MAXWELL, DSO

Lieutenant, Indian Staff Corps, attached Roberts's Light Horse

Born: 7 September 1871, Guildford, Surrey
Died: 21 September 1917, Ypres, Belgium

Citation: 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 out the self-imposed duty of saving the guns of that Battery during the affair at Korn Spruit on 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 to get the last gun in, and remained there till the attempt was abandoned.
During a previous Campaign (the Chitral Expedition of 1895) Lieutenant Maxwell displayed gallantry in the removal of the body of Lieutenant-Colonel F. D. Battye, Corps of Guides, under fire, for which, though recommended, he received no reward.

[London Gazette issue 27292 dated 8 Mar 1901, published 8 Mar 1901.]


Note: Major E J Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant C E H Parker, Gunner I Lodge and Driver H H Glasock, all of Q Battery, RHA, also received the Victoria Cross for this action.