Husband of Emma Allen Mansfield Luxford (nee Aldred), she died in 1952.
Former New Zealand Armed Constabulary honorary chaplain. [Haigh, p. 43]
Chaplain to 10th New Zealand Contingent, South Africa, 1902.
Chaplain to No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England.
The Auckland Museum manuscripts collection contains a letter written to Chaplain Major Luxford from the then Bishop in Jerusalem, Rennie MacInnes, dated 31 December 1914 (MS 2006/30).
Obituary: 'The death occurred at Remuera Auckland on Friday of the Rev. J.A. Luxford, who was Chaplain to the New Zealand forces during the war. Mr. Luxford's parents arrived in New Zealand in 1839, and he was born at the Hutt in 1854. After being educated in Wellington he went to Christchurch in 1875 to study for the Methodist ministry. The following year he was accepted as a probationer, and was ordained in Dunedin in 1880. Mr. Luxford occupied a large number of important pulpits, including St. Albans (Christchurch), Lyttelton, Wanganui, St. John's (Auckland), Pitt Street, and Mount Albert. He was president of the Methodist Church in New Zealand in 1903, and for many years acted as representative of the Church in naval and military matters. Mr. Luxford took a great interest in volunteering, and at one time held a commission as chaplain to an Invercargill company. When the territorial system was introduced he continued that interest. He saw active service in the South African War, being chaplain to one of the early contingents. Subsequently he was chaplain to the Canadians in No. 14 hospital. Mr. Luxford left New Zealand as senior chaplain with the Main Body in the great war. He was present at the landing on Gallipoli in April, 1915, and served without a break until he was wounded in the leg at Chunuk Bair. A few days afterwards he was evacuated [sic] to Alexandria, where his leg was amputated. When sufficiently recovered Mr. Luxford was sent to England, where an artificial leg was fitted. In May, 1916, he took the position of senior Methodist chaplain at the Walton-on-Thames Hospital, and held it until he left for New Zealand in July, 1919. Shortly after his return his health became affected as a result of his war service, and his death was the result of such injuries. Mr. Luxford went away with the rank of major, and in recognition of his services he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel. He was twice mentioned in despatches, and made a C.M.G. He held the 1914-15 Star, British war medal, and the Victory medal. In all he served five years and 257 days. Mr. Luxford was a prominent Freemason, having filled the position of worshipful master for two terms; also that of provincial grand chaplain. He is survived by his widow, two sons, and two daughters. Mrs. Luxford is a daughter of the Rev. J. Aldred, one of the early Methodist missionaries.' (Source: Auckland Weekly News, 3 February 1921, p. 47)
Middle name is recorded as Alfred on WWI Nominal Roll, and serial number as 10/307A. Serial Number is 8/307A on Archives New Zealandand CWGC.
His father was named William John Aldred Luxford. AWMM