Typescript memoirs of Brigadier General Ernest Maconchy, 1860-1920

Maconchy (1860-1945) was gazetted to 1st Battalion The East Yorkshire Regiment in 1882, but financial constraints made him apply for the Indian Army as this offered a better chance of living without accruing large debts. He was posted to the 11th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry. In July 1886 he transferred to the 1st Regiment of Sikh Infantry of the Punjab Frontier Force.

Ernest saw much action on India's North West Frontier, including the Black Mountain Expedition (1888) and the Hunza Expedition (1891), where he was wounded, mentioned in dispatches by Major General W K Elles and awarded a Distinguished Service Order. In 1895 he served with the Chitral Relief Force, and in 1897 joined the Tirah Expedition.

He was appointed Assistant Quarter Master General, Intelligence Branch, at Simla in 1903. The following year he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force). From 1906 until 1909 he worked at the Department of Military Supply, having been promoted to colonel in June 1907. Maconchy was then Deputy Secretary of the Government of India's Army Department until 1912.

Following the outbreak of war in August 1914 Maconchy came out of retirement to serve as Assistant Adjutant and Quatermaster General of 23rd Division, which was being raised near Farnham. In July 1915 he was made brigadier general commanding 178th Brigade (2nd Sherwood Foresters) of 59th Division. He led this formation during the Easter Rising (1916) in Ireland and on the Western Front between February-April 1917.