Thomas Kennedy Maxwell

Captain (retired) Thomas Kennedy Maxwell, R.N. (30 June, 1883 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of a merchant from Belfast.

Maxwell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1905.

Maxwell was appointed Lieutenant & Commander of the destroyer Angler in January, 1913.

Maxwell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1913.

When the war began, Maxwell was serving as first and gunnery officer in the third class protected cruiser Pelorus. He was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 15 on 23 September, 1914.

Maxwell was relieved in command of the destroyer Crusader in mid-June 1915 following his conduct in supporting the mined Maori. As often happened when an officer suffered a loss of confidence in his command abilities, he was placed in a large ship, in this case the battleship Canada. He would serve in her throughout the war, fighting at the Battle of Jutland and being promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1918.

Retired at his own request on 26 April, 1920, Maxwell moved to British Columbia. He later tried to be re-instated but was informed there was a glut of Commanders.

World War II

Maxwell was promoted to the rank of Captain on 29 February, 1940.

He reverted to the Retired List on 10 November, 1945.

See Also

• Service Records
• H.M.S. Canada at the Battle of Jutland
• Court of Enquiry into loss of H.M.S. Maori. Conduct of Lieut Cdr T.K. Maxwell, H.M.S. Crusader at The National Archives. ADM 156/145.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Charles W. J. Howard	Captain of H.M.S. Havock 7 Sep, 1909 – 1 Feb, 1910	Succeeded by De Courcy W. P. Ireland
Preceded by Evelyn C. O. Thomson	Captain of H.M.S. Conflict 1 Feb, 1910 – 27 Jan, 1911	Succeeded by Bernard J. H. Ward
Preceded by Godfray Bruce Cargill	Captain of H.M.S. Dove 27 Jan, 1911 – 1 Mar, 1911	Succeeded by Frederic A. H. Russel
Preceded by Hugh J. Tweedie	Captain of H.M.S. Thrasher 1 Mar, 1911 – 26 Mar, 1912	Succeeded by Reginald B. C. Hutchinson
Preceded by Arthur G. H. Bond	Captain of H.M.S. Angler 13 May, 1912 – 28 Aug, 1912	Succeeded by Thomas K. Maxwell
Preceded by Geoffrey P. Russell	Captain of H.M.S. Mallard 28 Aug, 1912 – 9 Nov, 1912	Succeeded by Henry W. Osburn
Preceded by Thomas K. Maxwell	Captain of H.M.S. Angler 9 Nov, 1912 – Dec, 1913	Succeeded by Frederick E. C. Hurst
Preceded by Henry F. Minchin	Captain of H.M. T.B. 15 23 Sep, 1914 – Mar, 1915	Succeeded by Francis E. H. G. Hobart
Preceded by George L. D. Gibbs	Captain of H.M.S. Crusader 27 Apr, 1915 – 15 Jun, 1915	Succeeded by Robert H. Coppinger
Preceded by Robert St. V. Sherbrooke	Captain of H.M.S. Edinburgh Castle 25 Feb, 1942 – Dec, 1942	Succeeded by Humphry C. Woolrych