PERCEVAL, EDWARD MAXWELL, Major, was
born 13 August 1861, at Bellewstown, County Meath, Ireland, son of General
John Maxwell Perceval, CB, JP, Colonel of the Suffolk Regiment, and of
Isabel Catherine, daughter of the Reverend The Honourable R Maude, Dean of
Clogher. He was educated at the Royal Academy, Gosport, and at the Royal
Military Academy (has passed the Staff College, and held the Diploma of the
Royal Geographical Society), and was gazetted to the Royal Artillery as
Lieutenant, 19 May 1880. He became Captain 4 August 1888, and Major 23
February 1898, serving in India and Burma. He served in the South African
War, 1899 to 1902; in command of a battalion of the Imperial Yeomanry from 5
January 1902 to 31 May 1902, and was severely wounded. He took part in the
operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; operations in the
Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including action at
Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange
River, 1899-1900; operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony 30
November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He received the Queen's Medal with three
clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps. He was mentioned in Despatches 16
March 1900. General Gatacre, in his Despatch on the Battle of Stormberg,
mentioned that Major Perceval was severely wounded at the beginning of that
action, and that he remained in command of his battery until the fighting
was finished. He was given the DSO in the next Gazette. Major
Perceval received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with
two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
[London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Edward Maxwell Perceval, Major, Royal
Artillery. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South
Africa". The Insignia were presented to him in South Africa. From 15
January 1903 to 8 March 1904, Major Perceval
was Instructor at the Royal Military College. He
was Chief Instructor there from 9 March to 24 March 1904; DAAG, Headquarters
of Army, 25 March 1904 to 13 November 1905; DAAG (GSO, Second Grade, Staff
College) and GSO, Second Grade, Staff College, 15 May 1908 to 20 March 1909;
was given the Brevet of Colonel 22 August 1908; GSO, First Grade, Staff
College, 21 March 1909 to 14 May 1912. He was promoted to Colonel 7
December 1909; was Assistant Director of Movements, War Office, 6 October
1912 to 31 March 1914; commanding RA, 2nd Division, Aldershot Command, 1
April to 4 August 1914. He served in the European War from 1914; as
Brigadier General, Royal Artillery, 5 August 1914 to 26 January 1915;
awarded CB, January 1915; Sub-Chief of the Staff to General Sir William
Robertson at GHQ, France, 26 January to 16 July 1915; promoted to Major
General 3 June 1915. In July 1915, he was given command of the 49th West
Riding Division in France. He was five times mentioned in Despatches.
Major General Perceval's favourite recreations were small and big game
shooting, hunting, golf, tennis, etc. He married (1st), 11 January
1894, Marian, daughter of R L Bowles, MD, and their son, Lieutenant Robert
Rawnsley Maxwell Perceval, MC, RFA, was born 8 January 1895. He married
(secondly), Norah Sabine Mayne, daughter of Admiral R E Mayne, CB, MP, and
their children were Diana and John Richard, born 13 April 1909.
KCB (m), DSO, QSA
(3) CC Trans Witt (Maj DSO, RFA), KSA (2) (Maj DSO, RFA), 1914 Star and Bar
(Brig-Gen DSO), BWM, Victory Medal (Maj-Gen), Defence Medal, Order of St
Vladimir (Russia) 4th Class, Order of Leopold (Belgium) 3rd
Class, Croix de Guerre (Belgium), Order of Avis (Portugal) 1st
Class.
Sotherbys 1991
£1,980.
