Frederick Chenevix-Trench

Frederick Chenevix-Trench was born in 1837, the 4th out of 14 children of Dr Richard Chenevix Trench, Archbishop of Dublin and poet. His mother was Hon Frances Mary Tench, the sister of the 2nd Lord Ashtown. In 1857 Frederick had the misfortune to be commissioned into a Bengal Light Cavalry regiment that, only a few months later was disbanded in the Indian Mutiny. He transferred to Hodson’s Horse and took part in battles at Gungeree, Puttialee, Mynpoorie and the sieges of Delhi and Lucknow. He was promoted to lieutenant on 30 April 1858. He then unwisely transferred to the Bengal European Light Cavalry which was disbanded when all troops of the East India Company were transferred to the crown. He transferred again into the 20th Hussars. In 1873 he married Mary the only daughter of Captain Charles Blood Mulville of the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He taught at the Staff College and was given a professorship. From there he was appointed commanding officer of the 20th Hussars in 1880. A year later he was given the job of Military Attache at the British Embassy in St Petersburg. He reached the rank of Major-General and retired in 1887, in which year he was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. Sadly he ended his life at the age of 57, committing suicide at Braemar in Scotland, on 18 August 1894, by drinking a phial of carbolic acid.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers