Colonel Richard Charles Graham Mayne CB 1852-1939

83rd Regiment

Infantry

Sub-Lieutenant Richard Charles Graham Mayne Poona India circa 1874

83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot – Afghan War 1878-80 – 29th/30th Bombay Native Infantry –

Khedive Star 1882 – Egypt 1892 – Mekran 1898 – China 1900

Brigade Commander of Southern India – ADC to Queen & King

Richard Charles Graham Mayne was born 27th August 1852 at Simla, India, the second son of Major Robert Graham Mayne 1820-1865 and Eliza Ann Mayne (nee Landale) 1828-1890.

Richard’s father served in the Bengal Staff Corps having joined in 1840. During his service in India, Robert Mayne had spent much of his time with the 59th Bengal Native Infantry Regiment. He had fought in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and distinguishing himself in command of the 3rd Madras Cavalry. As a Major in 1864-5, Robert Mayne served with the 30th Punjab Native Infantry during the Bhutan Campaign.

In May 1865, it was reported that Robert Mayne had died at Darjeeling, from “his exposure to the deadly Indian climate”, most likely from heatstroke. He was 45 years old when he died, leaving a widow and seven young children, including Richard who was just 13 years old at the time.

Several years after his father’s death, Richard was sent to England to complete his education, attending Wellington Boys College at Crowthorne, Berkshire, between 1867–1871. Leaving Wellington College in 1871, Richard attended the Royal Military College Sandhurst, and in June 1871 successfully passed his examinations for direct commission to the army.

In December 1872, Richard joined the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot, at this time garrisoned at Poona, India. Pictured above around this time, c 1874.

Having joined his new regiment as a Sub-Lieutenant in December 1872, Richard passed his further exams to become a Lieutenant in 1875.

Richard remained with the 83rd Regiment in India until in December 1877, when he transferred to the Bombay Staff Corps as a probationer.

From 1878 to 1906, Richard C.G. Mayne had a distinguished military career:

Service in Afghanistan and Early Promotions

  • Having joined the Bombay Staff Corps in 1877 and then the 29th (2nd Beloochs) Bombay Native Infantry, Richard took part in the Second Anglo‑Afghan War (1878–1880), notably at the Relief of Kandahar and the Battle of Kandahar. He earned a medal with clasp and a bronze star for his service.
  • Promoted to Captain in 1884 and Major in 1892.

Campaigns in Egypt and Indian Border Operations (1882–1890)

  • In 1882, he served with distinction in the Egyptian campaign, fighting at Tel-el-Kebir, again receiving a medal with clasp and bronze star.
  • Participated in the Zhob Expedition on the northwest frontier of British India in 1890.

Command Roles & Further Expeditions (1884–1900)

  • Took command of the 30th Bombay Native Infantry Regiment in 1884.
  • Achieved Lieutenant-Colonel rank in 1898.
  • In 1898, he commanded the Mekran Expedition, including the action at Gok Parosh, earning commendations for his leadership.
  • In 1900, he joined the China Expeditionary Force during the Boxer Rebellion, for which he was awarded another medal no clasp.

Senior Appointments & Retirement (1898–1906)

  • Recognised as a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1899.
  • Made Lieutenant Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.
  • By 1900, he was promoted to full Colonel rank and appointed to the Indian Army, commanding the Southern Brigade in India.
  • Served as Aide-de-Camp to the King 1902 and attended Coronation.
  • Attended Delhi Dunbar 1903 medal.
  • Retired in 1905 as Colonel and former brigade commander of Southern India.

In retirement, Richard lived for a time in Richmond, Surrey, with his brother George, himself a Colonel in the army, and his two younger sisters Ellen and Edith. For many years into retirement, Richard would attend the annual dinner held in London by members of the Kabul to Kandahar March of 1880. In 1912, 32 years after the march took place, Richard was one of only sixty remaining officers still alive, out of the 284 officers that made that march. Richard died 15th November 1939 at the Kensington Hotel, 118 Queens Gate, London. He was unmarried.

For a more in-depth story of Richard Charles Graham Mayne’s life, to see his medals and to hear detailed accounts of the five military campaigns he fought in, and to see more photographs, click here

Researched and written by Gary Hynard 2025