Vivian Dering Majendie
Colonel Sir V. D. Majendie K.C.B., of the Royal Artillery., (1836-1898).
1836 Born. He was the son of Major J. R. Majendie, of Pipe Grange, near Lichfield. He was educated at Leamington College, and entered the Royal Artillery Academy, Woolwich. in 1851.
1854 Obtained his commission in the Royal Artillery.
He served in the Crimean War in a field battery commanded by the late General Gibbon, C.B., and under him in the same battery he served in the Indian Mutiny, taking part in the capture of Lucknow.
Wrote the first part of the first official treatise on ammunition, and also became well known as the author of articles in the Pall Mall Gazette and Pioneer, besides writing occasionally for the Cornhill and other periodicals.
1871 He was appointed Chief Inspector of Explosives, and remained so until his death.
His work was specially critical about 1883-1884, when attempts were made to blow up public buildings and railway stations.
The rules governing the manufacture of explosives throughout the Kingdom were drawn up by him, and he was the author of the "Official Guide Book" to the Explosive Acts of 1875.