Gerald Maxwell

Gerald Joseph Constable Maxwell MC DFC AFC (8 September 1895 – 18 December 1959) was a British Flying Ace in World War I credited with twenty-six victories.

Background
Maxwell was born in Beauly near Inverness, Scotland, the nephew of Lord Lovat, notable for raising the Lovat Scouts in the Boer War. He was educated at Downside School.

Involvement in World War 1
Maxwell was commissioned in the Lovat Scouts on 4 August 1914 and he fought at Gallipoli. He then served in Egypt before returning to the UK, where he transferred to the RFC in September 1916. Maxwell completed final pilot training at Central Flying School, Upavon and joined No. 56 Squadron in London Colney in March 1917. He was attached to 'A' Flight, commanded by Captain Albert Ball, flying SE5 aircraft. In April 1917, Maxwell's squadron was sent to France and he achieved a victory on his first patrol. Four days later he was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed unhurt.

On 26 July 1917 Maxwell was promoted to flight commander, by which time he had been credited with eight victories. He was awarded the MC on 18 October and was posted back to the UK. After instructing at the School of Aerial Fighting at Turnberry, he returned to 56 Squadron, where in six weeks he claimed six more victories.

His confirmed 26 victories consisted of 12 enemy aircraft destroyed (including two shared wins), and 14 "out of control" victories, six of which were shared. In scoring the shared victories, he teamed with such other aces as Cecil Lewis, Edric Broadberry, Charles Jeffs, and Cyril Crowe.

He resigned from the RAF in 1922 to become a director of Maxwell-Chrysler Motors.

Later Military Service
He was called up in the next war, becoming station commander at RAF Ford from 1941 to 1945. Maxwell was a member of the Royal Company of Archers, a Knight of Malta and Privy Chamberlain of the Pope. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire.

Family life
Maxwell married Carolyn Carden in 1920 and they had two sons and four daughters, one of the sons was killed flying in 1950 while with the RAF. Maxwell died at Alresford House, Old Alresford near Winchester on 18 December 1959 aged 64.

Honours and awards

 * 18 October 1917 Captain Gerald Joseph Constable Maxwell Yeo. and R.F.C is awarded the Military Cross:
 * 2 August 1918 Captain Gerald Joseph Constable Maxwell MC is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross: