| Maxse | Frederick Ivor | | Major | MAXSE, FREDERICK IVOR, Major, was born 22 December 1862, eldest son of Admiral Maxse. He was educated at Rugby and Sandhurst, and gazetted to the Royal Fusiliers, as Lieutenant, 9 September 1882; becoming Captain, Royal Fusiliers, 25 October 1889, and Coldstream Guards 23 May 1891. He was ADC to the GOC, Scottish District, 23 February 1893 to 4 January 1894, and ADC to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Malta, 5 January 1894 to 12 September 1894. He was employed with the Egyptian Army 12 January 1897 to 8 December 1899; served in the Nile Expedition in 1897, on the Staff of the GOC, and was present at the action of Abu Hamed. In the Nile Expedition of 1898 he served as Brigade Major, and was present at the Battles of the Atbara and Khartoum. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 24 May and 30 September 1898]; received two clasps to the Egyptian Medal, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 15 November 1898]: "Frederick Ivor Maxse, Major, Coldstream Guards. In recognition of services during the recent operations in the Sudan". The Insignia were sent to the GOC, Egypt, and presented by the Duke of Connaught 19 February 1899. He had been promoted to Major 1 December 1897. Major Maxse was for a time Chief Staff Officer to the Military Governor of Khartoum. In the Nile Expedition of 1899 he was in command of the Sudanese Battalion in the Battle of El Gedid and the operations resulting in the final defeat of the Khalifa. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 30 January 1900]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 14 March 1900, and received the Medal and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal. He served in the South African War from 30 December 1899; was employed with Transport 20 January 1900 to 6 June 1900, being AAG for all transport columns of Mounted Infantry and Colonial Corps during the advance to Bloemfontein; commanded the transport of Ian Hamilton's force (12,000 men) during the march from Bloemfontein to Pretoria, and was Commissioner of Police 7 June 1900 to 8 October 1900, and commanded the Transvaal Constabulary after the entry of Lord Roberts into Pretoria in June 1900. He was present at the Relief of Kimberley; at the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including the operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove; Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]: was created a CB (1900), and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps. He became Lieutenant Colonel 29 November 1903, and was given the Brevet of Colonel 20 January 1905; commanded the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, 1903-7; the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, 1907-10; commanded the 1st Brigade, Aldershot Command, 1 August 1910 to 4 August 1914. He proceeded with the 1st Guards Brigade to France 12 August 1914, and was promoted to Major General 18 August 1914; was present at the Retreat from Mons to Paris, and in the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne. In October 1914, he was appointed to the command of the 18th Division at Colchester, and was on active service with this Division in 1915 and 1916, being present in the Battles of the Somme and the Ancre (Despatches five times). On 15 January 1917, he assumed command of the 18th Army Corps, and in June 1918, became Inspector-General of Training, British Armies in France. He was promoted to Lieutenant General 1 January 1919, and created a KCB in 1917. Sir Ivor Maxse held the Grand Cross of the Crown of Belgium; was Commander of the Legion of Honour; the Military Medal (France) and the Military Medal (Belgium). He published a book called 'Seymour Vandeleur' in 1906. General Maxse married, in 1899, the Honourable Mary Caroline Wyndham, eldest daughter of the 2nd Baron Leconfield, and they had two sons and one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Coldstream Guards |
