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Private John Maxwell

 

John Maxwell was born on 29 September 1892 at 29 Sunnyside Street, Belfast, the fourth of six children of clerk Hugh Maxwell and his wife Sarah (nee Bell). By 1911 he was living with his parents and five brothers at Ormeau Road, Belfast, and serving an apprenticeship in Irish yarn-making.

Maxwell enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 19 and 22 May 1915 (No.1558 – later Corps of Hussars No.71441). He embarked for France between 1916 and 1918, possibly with E Squadron on 11 January 1916.

In May 1916 E Squadron became part of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when it was converted to a cyclist regiment, serving as corps cyclists to V Corps for the remainder of the war.

Maxell remained with the regiment throughout the war. On 5 March 1919 he was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.