TRENCH, FREDERIC JOHN ARTHUR,
"Major, was born 2 Feb. 1857, son of the late Rev. J. E. Trench, M.A. 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 Feb. 1876. He served in the Zulu War of 1879, and was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 21 Aug. 1879], " for conduct especially deserving of commendation at the Battle of Ulundi," receiving also the Medal and clasp. He was promoted Captain 4 Nov. 1884; was Adjutant, Royal Horse Artillery, 1883-84, and 1891- 92; District Gunnery Instructor, 1889; became Major 19 Jan. 1893; D.A.A.G., Headquarters, Ireland, 18 Oct. 1895, to 11 Nov. 1898; Brigade Major, Royal Artillery, ' Vee tern District, 10 April 1899, to 27 Jan. 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 Jan. 1901, to 2 April, 1901; specially employed 29 April to 22 July 1901; D.A.A.G. 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, Jan. 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 G.O.C., Gibraltar; presented at Gibraltar), 24 Nov. 1903. He became Lieutenant– Colonel 1 Oct. 1902; was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 Oct. 1905; was attached to the German Forces in south-West Africa 13: May 1935, to 21 March, 1906, from which he had the German Medal and three clasps; was mentioned in Despatches, and was made Commander of the Red Eagle with Swords and Diamonds, and was Military Attaché at Berlin 22 March 1906, to 22 March 1910. All his German decorations were returned in 1914, as a protest German barbarity to women and wounded. He was a C.V.O. in 1906; became Colonel 2 Sept. 1908, and retired on 22 March, 1910, to work for Boy Scouts and national service, 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, U.S.A"
Source: VC & DSO
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