Kit Constable Maxwell is a photographer, traveller and military historian. He is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS) and a Fellow of Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). He is married and lives in Dorset.
Military He was educated at Ampleforth College and enlisted for military service in 1958. He trained at the Guards Depot and gained a commission in the Scots Guards. His duties varied from field service in the UK’s Strategic Reserve to guard mounting at Buckingham Palace. He was despatched to Libya in 1960 where he first encountered the challenges of desert travel. In 1961, now a Lieutenant, he joined the French Paras, completed their parachute training course at Pau, Pyrenees and trained in survival skills in the Massif Central.
Professions – After his army service he joined the licensed trade and became a head brewer in a small provincial brewery. In 1968 he was assigned to the Grant’s Wine School in London as a lecturer. Concurrently he trained in photography and turned professional in 1973. In 1976 he drove overland to Saudi Arabia and established Jeddah’s first commercial photo studio. His clients included Saudi Airlines, Toyota, Rio-Tinto, Bank of Saudi and others. In the 1980’s he returned to his London studio and specialised in promotional photography for industry and commerce. Clients included Lonhro, Bowater, Northern Foods, J&B Whisky etc.
Travels – Kit is a committed off-road traveller. In 1970 he converted a Land Rover into a 4-berth camper and took his wife Lyn and two sons, 3 years and 4 years, on an epic overland journey to India. They visited Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, India, Nepal, Iraq, Syria. The trip lasted six months, crossed 17 countries and covered 22,000 miles. Subsequent Land Rover travels have taken him overland through Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, across China to Tibet and into the Gobi Desert. He has crossed the Sahara several times. His lectures on North African military history in WW2, desert rock art and world travels are richly illustrated with photographs and accompanied by culturally resonant music.