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Francis Gilfrid Maughan (1878-1938)


Vicar's son who served in the 2nd DLI was awarded DSO


Francis Gilfrid Maughan, the son of the Reverend John and Mary Georgiana Maughan, was born in Mickley, near Hexham, Northumberland on 25 June 1878. He had two brothers and went to Durham School. In March 1897 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, and he became a Regular on 9 January 1899 when he joined the 2nd Battalion and went to Mandalay in India. He served in the 2nd Battalion continuously for fifteen years, being promoted to lieutenant on 1 August 1900 and to captain on 30 May 1904.

After India he moved to Ireland and shortly after the outbreak of First World War landed in France. He joined the 18th Infantry Brigade as a staff captain. He was mentioned in despatches on 7 April 1915 and promoted to major on 1 September, being appointed brigade major two weeks later. In 1916 he was badly wounded, again mentioned in despatches, and was repatriated to England. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the Croix de Guerre and appointed brevet lieutenant-colonel. In September 1916, after recovering, he served on the General Staff at the War Office and on 20 September 1917 married Grace Collingwood Maughan in Kensington, London. They had two sons, Francis Alfred Collingwood Maughan and Gilfrid James Maughan, who was also a lieutenant-colonel in the Durham Light Infantry.

In May 1919 Frances left the War office and was appointed Assistant Military Secretary, Northern Command until June 1921, when he retired on half-pay. The next month he became Secretary of the Royal Patriotic Fund. In September 1923 he went on retired pay on account of his ill health, caused by wounds, and moved to Kent, where he died in 1938.

Birth date: 25-Jun-1878

Death date: 30-Apr-1938

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: The Vicarage, Mickley, Northumberland (1881 census)
The Vicarage, Prudhoe, Northumberland (1891 census)
1 Linnell Close, Barnet, Hendon, Middlesex (London, England, Electoral Registers 1924)
Prudhoe Hill, Limpsfield, Surrey (Surrey, England, Electoral Registers 1928)
Yardley Grange, Tonbridge, Kent (England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1938)

Education: Durham School, Durham

Family: Father: Reverend John Archibald Collingwood Maughan
Mother: Mary Georgiana Maughan (nee Sale)
Brothers: Charles Archibald & Alfred William Maughan
Wife: Grace Collingwood Maughan (nee Maughan)
Sons: Francis Alfred Collingwood & Gilfrid James (later Lt. Col. D.L.I.)

Military service:

2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Lieutenant-Colonel

Medal(s): Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Dispatches ( 2)
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Croix de Guerre

Gender: Male

Contributed by John Edwards


Comments on this story


Comment

Hi - thanks for all of this information. I live in Tonbridge and happened to notice this grave in the local cemetery. It's fairly well kept and I was interested to find out why a DLI Lieut-colonel with a DSO was in Tonbridge. I'll check out his house in due course, and could send you a photo of the grave if you like. Why did his sons not take his surname ? Thanks anyway.

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dominicf

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