GENERAL DIGHTON PROBYN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 142027

GENERAL DIGHTON PROBYN
The equerry to King Edward VII who served in the British Indian Army signed this handwritten letter to a businessman thanking him for the use of his trains 
Autograph letter signed: "Sir Probyn Secy" in black ink. 10x8 letter affixed to 13¾x9½ sheet. Sandringham, Norfolk. Dated December 31st, 1905. To "Mr. Turnbull".In Full: "By command of the King, I send you the accompanying pin as a small memento from His Majesty of the kind assistance you and your Company have rendered him and the Queen on more than one occasion this last year, by the loan of your beautiful Royal Train for their Majesties' use, when they have been over other than the L and N.W. Lines. With all good wishes for the New Year, I remain Yrs faithfully". Dighton Probyn (1833-1924) earned the Victoria Cross for gallantry as a captain of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry at the Battle of Agra during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Most notable among his many feats in battle, Probyn defended himself when was surrounded by six enemy soldiers, killing two before allies joined in the battle. He was eventually brevetted to Major General on July 25, 1870. In 1872, he was appointed to the first of many positions working for the Royal Family. As an equerry for the Prince of Wales, Probyn acted as an executive assistant of sorts, assisting him with scheduling, appointments, communications, and other various responsibilities. Only the highest British Royal Family members have equerries, and they may have up to several. After a few years serving in this position, he returned to the military, earning a number of promotions in rank for the Bengal Cavalry and the British Indian Army. In 1901, he was appointed to the position of Keeper of the Privy Purse. His job was to keep Prince Edward VII and his wife Princess Alexandra of Denmark financially solvent, a difficult and stressful position to be in. There is some evidence that the royal couple was free-spending. Sir Dighton later served as equerry to Edward after the latter's ascent to the throne in 1902. Toned. Lightly creased throughout. Normal mailing folds. Larger sheet has ink notes in right margin and holes punched in right edge. Otherwise, fine condition.