James was born at 22, West Shaw Street, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, the youngest of eleven children in the John Maxwell (c1839-1908), Mary Beaton (c1843-1916) family.

A talented football player (outside right) James began his football career as a teenager at Kilmarnock Shawbank (Kilmarnock Cricket Ground, 1885-1906) in the Kilmarnock & District Junior League*, before moving to Petershill Juniors (Atlas Park, Springburn, Glasgow) in the close season of 1904. His speed and flair on the ball ensured he was destined for greater things though, and in December of that year, still yet 17, he signed for senior, first division football at Kilmarnock F. C. making his début on the 10th. of the month in the 0-2 home defeat against Partick Thistle. He went on to make 9 league appearances for Killie all in the outside right position during 1904-05, netting 5 times, including a brace in the 2-6 home defeat versus Rangers on 21st. January, 1905. By the time this, his first stint at Killie, came to an end in 1906-07 he had been used at both inside and outside right berths.

*Shawbank competed 1900-04.

At age 19 James played at Ibrox on Saturday, 2nd. March, 1907, in the Scottish League team which drew 0-0 against superior English League opposition. The Scots defence frustrated English ambitions. 'Critic' in Dundee Courier, Monday, 4th. March - "..POOR FORWARD LINE - ... Maxwell was all right and always seemed anxious to get off on his own ...". (Attendance, 55,000. Receipts, £1,677.)

By the end of the month, and after serving 3 years with the Rugby Park outfit, James was heading south (Tuesday, 19th. March, 1907), transferred (£500) to Sheffield Wednesday, or "The Wednesday", as they were called at that time. This was despite a disappointing performance from him the previous day when the Scottish League played an Anglo-Scots team. Kilmarnock, according to press reports, had been inundated with requests for his services ever since his Scottish League début earlier in the month. Reporting in The Courier, Wednesday, 20th. March, 'Critic' wrote, "...the Sheffield representative signed him on his club reputation."

Maxwell went straight into the first team in the problematic outside right position, making his début on Friday, 29th. March in the away match against Woolwich Arsenal. The Dundee Courier (Sat. 30th. March) reported a crowd of 20,000 at Plumstead "..Sheffield tried their new outside right from Kilmarnock, Maxwell, the internationalist..". Wednesday had their chances but the points went to the home outfit 1-0.

Played in the Sheffield derby game (Bramall Lane, Thursday, 4th. April, 1907) and netted his first goal for Wednesday late in the second half, in what ended a 2-1 defeat. The Manchester Courier (5th. April, 1907) reported the game opened evenly balanced with Maxwell being "prominent" several times in the first half but Sheffield United dominated, pressing Wednesday for much of the game. United went two goals up "...and then Maxwell, getting possession on the Wednesday right, went past Needham with a speedy sprint and beating in turn Johnson and Leivealy (keeper), who came out to meet him, scored a fine goal for Wednesday." Wednesday had chances for an equaliser but the score remained at 2-1. (Attendance: 15,000.)

James was on the score sheet again on Saturday, 13th. April when Sunderland were overcome 2-1 in a mid-table clash at *Owlerton and it must have flitted in the back of James' mind that he might just have an outside chance of featuring in the forthcoming F.A. Cup Final....

*Owlerton gave the team their nickname "The Owls" - Sheffield Wednesday's home ground 1899-1914. After ground improvements the name was changed to Hillsborough.

On Saturday, 20th. April, 1907, The Wednesday and Everton competed the Final tie of the Football Association Challenge Cup at Crystal Palace, London (Attendance, 84,584). Wednesday won the match 2-1. While James was not selected to play in the final - the management keeping faith with the line-up that had battled through to win the semi-final - he did appear in the many commemorative team photographs that were taken with the Cup following this prestigious victory.

He was first choice for the outside right position at the start of the following 1907-08 season as Wednesday stormed to the top of the Division. However, Maxwell lost his place after just six games and thereafter was in and out of the team, sharing right-sided duties with Harry Chapman. There were things "going on" behind the scenes at the club. His name appeared in a list (pub. The Daily Mail, Sat., 2nd. May, 1908) of Wednesday players whose services would not be retained for the forthcoming season. James' last game for Wednesday had been on 20th. April, 1908 (away to Woolwich Arsenal, 1-1). In 27 games in The Wednesday's colours he had scored six goals, two in 1906-07; 4 in 1907-08 - not the success he had hoped for.

On Tuesday, 12th. May, 1908 he transferred further south. "The Evening Telegraph and Post" (Wed., 13th. May, 1908) commented: "Maxwell, the Scottish Internationalist, whose play at outside right towards the end of season 1906-7 gained for him so much praise, is to change his quarters....to Woolwich Arsenal...Sheffield paid Kilmarnock a transfer fee much higher than the present maximum, and he has been singularly disappointing."

Despite criticism from some quarters there were Wednesday fans surprised and a little upset to see him leave. On his game Maxwell was quick and nimble footed with a explosive burst of pace. He showed no fear in taking on and going past defenders; had good ball control and could deliver a clever cross as well as go for goal himself. Unfortunately he had been unable to settle at Wednesday - time to move on.

Woolwich Arsenal (12th. May, 1908 - transfer fee £350): James made his league début against Everton on 2nd. September of that year in a 0-4 home defeat. It did not work out at Plumstead. Things were against him from the start. After the dismal time at Sheffield, when James signed for Woolwich he may well have thought to himself that he was in for a change in fortune; that things were on the "up"; set fair to become a Woolwich Arsenal man. It was not to be. Maxwell was probably the last signing of Phil Kelso, who left Woolwich after the end of season 1907-08. Arsenal had appointed a new manager (George Morrell) who took up the post in late January, 1908 with the outgoing Phil Kelso assisting him as he settled into post. At this time both were anxious to sign a winger. As Wednesday were putting pen to paper in agreeing the transfer of Maxwell for £350 with Phil Kelso, in Sheffield, George Morrell, then in Glasgow, was signing another winger, David Greenaway, whom he had "discovered" at a cost of "next to nothing". The deals were done quite independently within hours of each other. Kelso had been unable to contact Morrell about Maxwell and proceeded on his own initiative. When Morrell found out he must have been raging. So Maxwell was to play under a manager who never signed him. There would be consequences.

After the 0-4 Everton defeat Maxwell was promptly dropped - and dropped for Greenaway. Frozen out, he did not receive a second chance. He did not even feature in the 1908-09 team photograph. Months of not being played dragged by. Over six demoralising months crushing, draining his confidence, his self esteem and his standing in the eyes of his young wife, for not only was James not being played, Woolwich Arsenal owed him money. It was not a good situation to be in. Whether the situation Maxwell found himself in was as much to do with the unpaid £350 transfer fee to Wednesday as it was to do with the fact that Morrell hadn't signed him, will probably never be known but it must certainly have a bearing on why Maxwell wasn't in the team photograph - Woolwich couldn't leave themselves open to featuring a player they hadn't paid for and find themselves disciplined by the Football Association. Money was tight and they had to be careful.

Disappointment and frustration for Maxwell turned into anger and bitter resentment. He made but one more appearance for Woolwich - against Sunderland at Roker Park, 27th. March, 1909 (1-0 home win)- at which time he had already decided to act. He took his chance after the match and promptly returned to Ayrshire, determined to pursue Woolwich for cash owed. He approached the football Player's Union for assistance in progressing his claim against the increasingly financially stricken London club whilst playing for Hurlford (Senior club, 1875-1924, Scottish Combination League) and Galston (Senior club, 1886-1939, Scottish Union League) in Sept., 1909. to keep his career alive. Numerous letters were written but all to no avail. It was to be a long process stretching out over a number of years but at least he was out of the nightmare that had been Arsenal - he was playing again.

Signed for Carlisle United (North Eastern League) on Friday, 8th. July, 1910. "Carlisle United, yesterday, signed on two wing forwards in James Maxwell, Scotland's outside right and.....Maxwell originated from Kilmarnock, where at 20 years of age, he secured his International League cap. In 1908 (sic) he went to Sheffield thence to Woolwich Arsenal. He comes to the Border city with a good reputation. He stands 5ft. 8in. and scales 11st., and is only 22 years of age." (The Newcastle Daily Journal, Saturday 9th. July, 1910).

In January, 1912 both the The Derby Daily Telegraph (12th.) and The Manchester Courier (16th.) carried notes about Football League meetings; English - Scottish League meetings regarding claims of unpaid player transfer fees. "The transfer fee of James M. Maxwell of Woolwich Arsenal was fixed at £200." (That was to go to Sheffield Wednesday.) The Player's Union announced in the press that they were to take legal action on behalf of their members (James among them) and enter each case in the Courts. Ultimately, the settlement for James Maxwell was fixed at £50. Whether this, or any sum, was actually paid is not known.

Kilmarnock F.C.: Re-signed 1912-13 season and first saw outside right action on 28th. December, 1912 in the 2-2 draw against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle. He played in all three Scottish Cups games netting in two matches, one of which was in the 0-3 away victory at Nithsdale Wanderers on 25th. January, 1913.

Nithsdale Wanderers (Senior club, Castleholm Park, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, 1897-1951): The Courier, Thursday, 21st. August, 1913: "With a view of strengthening their forward line for the forthcoming ties, Nithsdale Wanderers have secured the services of James Maxwell, the Kilmarnock and Woolwich right winger. Maxwell, who played for Kilmarnock in the Scottish ties last season, has still plenty of good football left, and should greatly strengthen the Sanquhar forward line." James was to remain at Nithsdale for the 1913-14 season.

Overall his record whilst at Kilmarnock: scored 18 times (14 league, 4 Scottish Cup) in 65 appearances (55 league, 10 Scottish Cup games). On his day he was an outstanding winger possessing a fine turn of speed and crossed a lovely ball, while his powerful shooting brought him his fair share of goals.

At the outbreak of The Great War, 1914-1918, James enlisted, at Kilmarnock, in the Seaforth Highlanders, 1st Battalion, regimental nr.: S/7426. The 'S' in the number denotes "Highland Regiments Wartime Enlistments". Some time during his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. The 1st. Battalion Seaforth's were regular troops and had been attached to the Indian Army 7th.(Meerut) Division. At the outbreak of the war they were in India and despatched thereafter to France disembarking in Marseilles on 12th. October, 1914.

James' Medal Roll index ticket reveals: Theatre of War first served in: (1) France; Date of entry therein: 24th. August, 1915. In the absence of his service record and the verification which that would reveal, it can only be presumed that he was sent to France in a reinforcement contingent to join the 1st. Battalion Seaforth's prior to the commencement of the Artois-Loos Offensive conducted by the French and British in the autumn of 1915.

The Informal Will within his Pay Book (Army Book 64) was completed on 21st. June, 1915.

He would have been available/involved in the following engagements with the Seaforth's:
Battle of Loos. 25th. September - 8th. October, 1915.
Action of Pietre. 25th. September, 1915.
December, 1915: moved to Mesopotamia (present day Iraq), landing at Basrah late in the month. Formation was by now renamed 21st Brigade, 7th Indian Division.

Mesopotamia:

Action of Sheik Sa'ad. 6-8th. January, 1916.
Action of the Wadi. 13th. January, 1916.
First action of the Hanna. 21st. January, 1916.

4th February, 1916: owing to heavy casualties, formed the Highland Battalion with 2nd Battalion, the Black Watch.

Attack on the Dujaila Redoubt. 8th. March, 1916.
First attack on Sannaiyat. 6th. April, 1916.
Second attack on Sannaiyat. 9th. April, 1916.
Third attack on Sannaiyat. 22nd. April, 1916.
The surrender of the Kut-al-Amara garrison. 29th. April, 1916.

12th July, 1916: Reformed original Battalions. Formed by the amalgamation of the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders and the 2nd Battalion Black Watch.

Capture of Sannaiyat. 17-24th. February, 1917.
Operations on the Tigris right bank. 9-10th. March, 1917.
Occupation of Baghdad. 11th. March, 1917. With the capture of Baghdad and control of the Berlin-Baghdad railway German schemes for Turkey would be at an end.

The British campaign against the Turks was hard going and met with fierce and determined opposition. Like Gallipoli, conditions in Mesopotamia defy description. Extremes of temperature (120 degrees F was common); arid desert and regular flooding; flies, mosquitoes and other vermin: all led to appalling levels of sickness and death through disease. Under these incredible conditions, units fell short of officers and men, and all too often the reinforcements were half-trained and ill-equipped. Medical arrangements were quite shocking, with wounded men spending up to two weeks on boats before reaching any kind of hospital. These factors all contributed to high casualty rates.
Concerted efforts were made to improve conditions. Sir Arthur Lawley (British Red Cross Commissioner), writing from Army H.Q. in February, 1917, reported to the Sec.of State for India that having conducted a thorough inspection of medical arrangements in and around Basra "the dark days of deficiency of 1915 and 1916" were behind them. Everything that could be done to ensure the welfare of the sick and wounded was being done. Yet he acknowledged: "The soil, the rain, the climate, the floods, the flies and the heat combine to make the conduct of the campaign in the Tigris Valley during the summer months a task of stupendous difficulty. ... it is inevitable that the coming hot weather will again put a tremendous strain on our medical organisation." (The Glasgow Herald, Thursday, 16th. April, 1917 - "Efficiency Assured in Mesopotamia".)

11012 killed.
3985 died of wounds.
12678 died of sickness.
13492 missing and prisoners (9000 at Kut-al-Amara).
51836 wounded.
("Statistics of the Military Effort of the British Empire", pub. London: HMSO, 1920.)

To consolidate their position in newly taken Baghdad and to drive home the initiative by seizing control of the Samarrah railway, some 130km north of Baghdad, Commander-in-Chief, Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, on 13th. March, 1917, launched the Samarrah Offensive with 45,000 allied troops at his disposal facing 10,000 Turks with 15,000 reserves newly retreating from setbacks against Russian forces.
Actions of Mushahida, 14th. March.
Fallujah, an important objective of the offensive, was taken on 19th. March.
The Battle of Istabulat 21st. April, 1917.

Continuing British attacks and with more reserves on the way persuaded the Turks to cede Samarrah on 23rd. April, leaving the town, and its railway, in British hands.

James was killed on Saturday, 21st. April, 1917. One of the estimated 18,000 British casualties of the Samarrah Offensive, although a further 40,000 were lost to sickness. His body was not recovered. He left a widow and two young children.

The Glasgow Herald, Thursday, 24th May, 1917, page 7:-
"CASUALTIES. TO-DAY'S LISTS. RANK AND FILE. Killed.
SEAFORTHS.- Maxwell (7426), L-Cpl. J. (Dundonald, Ayr.)"

A year later his elder brother, Thomas (Royal Scots Fusiliers. Private. Service Nr.: 11356), was to lose his life in northern France.

James is remembered on three War Memorials; Kilmarnock (where he was born and brought up), Dundonald (where his wife and family lived with her relatives during the war), and on Panel 38 of the Basra War Memorial, Al-Zubair, Iraq. This impressive memorial was erected in remembrance of over 40,000 British Empire identified casualties, who died in operations in Mesopotamia from Autumn, 1914, to the end of August, 1921, and whose graves are not known. It originally stood at Maqil, on the west bank of the Shatt-al-Arab waterway, about 8 kilometres north of Basra but in 1997 was dismantled and re-erected some 32Km along the road towards Nasiriyah during the time of Saddam Hussein to permit redevelopment of the port of Basra. The memorial was designed by Edward Warren and unveiled by Sir Gilbert Clayton on the 27th March, 1929 and is in the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is unlikely ever to be restored.

Career honours-:
1906-07 Scottish League Cap.

James Morton Maxwell (29), Professional Football Player.

1st. Battalion Seaforth Highlanders - Casualties 1914-1918: 1,059 Officers and Men (approx.)

(Photographs of the Basra War Memorial, together with Panel 38 therein, recording the inscription to L/Cpl. James Maxwell, are reproduced here courtesy of TWGPP and should not be copied without first obtaining their permission.)