| Trench | Frederic John Arthur | | Major | TRENCH, FREDERIC JOHN ARTHUR, Major, was born 2 February 1857, son of Reverend J E Trench, MA. He was educated at Geneva University, at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and at the Staff College. He entered the Royal Artillery, as Lieutenant, 2 February 1876. He served in the Zulu War of 1879, and was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 21 August 1879], "for conduct especially deserving of commendation at the Battle of Ulundi", receiving also the Medal and clasp. He was promoted Captain 4 November 1884; was Adjutant, Royal Horse Artillery, 1883-84, and 1891-92; District Gunnery Instructor, 1889; became Major 19 January 1893; DAAG, Headquarters, Ireland, 18 October 1895 to 11 November 1898; Brigade Major, Royal Artillery, Western District, 10 April 1899 to 27 January 1901. He qualified as an Interpreter in French in 1899 (and in 1905 in German). Major Trench again saw active service in the South African War, being employed on the Staff as District Commandant 28 January 1901 to 28 April 1901; specially employed 29 April to 22 July 1901; DAAG 23 July 1901 to 1 March 1902; Press Censor, Headquarters, South Africa, 2 March to 2 July 1902. He was present in operations in the Transvaal, July 1901 to 31 May 1902; in Orange River Colony, July 1901; in Cape Colony, January 1901 to July 1901; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 17 June 1902], and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 June 1902]: "Frederic John Arthur Trench, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes sent to the GOC, Gibraltar; presented at Gibraltar 24 November 1903. He became Lieutenant Colonel 1 October 1902; was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 October 1905; was attache to the German Forces in South-West Africa 13 May 1905 to 21 March 1906, from which he had the German Medal and three clasps; was mentioned in Despatches, and was male Commander of the Red Eagle with Swords and Diamonds, and was Military Attache at Berlin 22 March 1906 to 22 March 1910. All his German decorations were returned in 1914, as a protest against German barbarities to women and wounded. He was a CVO in 1906; became Colonel 2 September 1908, and retired on 22 March 1910 to work for Boy Scouts and National Service, in order to meet the German menace. Colonel Trench wrote a book called 'Manoeuvre Orders'. He married, in 1900, Anne Somerville, daughter of John N Craddock, of Tuscaloosa, USA.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Artillery |
