[ A British Army surgeon during the Indian Mutiny. ] Three cyclostyled documents, two on the subject of the Mutiny, in facsimile of Wrench's autograph, one titled: 'Cousin Henry Kirke's story of his escape from Mutineers. June 1857'

Part of a series of cyclostyled documents, in facsimile of Wrench's autograph, for distribution amongst his family. The three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Facsimile letter with facsimile signature 'Ed M Wrench'. Headed 'Aug 1909' and with 'Sep 13 1909' at foot. 3pp., 4to. He has recently discovered that 'General W A Franks now living at Northland Road Southampton was present when uncle Henry Kirke died when fleeing from mutineers of his Reg 1213NI in 1857, I took the libery of wriing to him, he very kindly responded to my enquiries & I feel sure the information he has afforded will be interesting, adding much to our scanty knowledge of that terrible time'. A transcription of a long passage from Frank's letter of 16 August 1909 follows, after which Wrench gives his own reminiscences, including: 'At the Battle of Banda against a large body of Rebels commanded by the Nawab when we were fighting for six hours and took a large number of guns, I had a comic adventure. The 12th Lancers were ordered to charge and pursue the enemy and I accompanied them. After attending to several of them thaht were wounded and having sent them to the rear, I arranged to rejoin the fighting line, but discovered they were out of sight, as were our infantry and guns. [...] The battle field was strewm wotj dead sepoys some not so dead as they pretended to be. In a deep I had to pass one of the latter, I accepted his ruse though I saw he had his matchlock pointed at me. To avoid broken ground I had to pass him again and just then met a Villager who drew my attention to him, telling me he was shamming dead and urging me to kill him, which was not my duty except in self defence, so he and I were satisfied. What became of the villager I know not.' TWO: 'Cousin Henry Kirkes story of his escape from Mutineers. June 1857.' 3pp., 4to. Begins: In 1857 Uncle Henry was commanding the Head Quarters of the 12th Bengal N.I. at Nowgong (now spelt Naogaon) Aunt Kirke, Henry & St George were with him. He greatly distrusted the Sepoys and when he heard of the mutiny at Barrackpoor in April, he immediately sent Aunt & St George off to the Hills, just in time for they left <?> only two days before the fatal 10 May. - Uncle & Henry remained at Nowgong greatly distrusting the Sepoys, but like so many of the unfortunate Officers of the Native Army obliged to appear to trust their men until they attacked and killed them.' THREE: Facsimile letter to his grandchildren with facsimile signature 'E. M. Wrench' 4 October 1911. 1p., 4to. Not relating to the Mutiny, but regarding a trial of a member of the family at the assizes in 1811. 'I was reading this at our tea when your cousin Bessie Fanshawe was present (She has ony been here twice for many years) She remarked "amongst my late Father's papers there is a Newspaper reporting the trial and another of 1812"'. The letter concludes: 'We live in better times. What will your Grandchildren think of ours?'?>