PROBYN DIGHTON: (1833-1924) English General, Victoria Cross winner for his numerous actions during the Indian Mutiny 1857-58. Keeper of the Privy Purse, Secretary to Edward, Prince of Wales and Comptroller of the Household. A.L.S., D. M. Probyn, four pages, 8vo, Marlborough House, London, 1st November 1879, to Dr. Stedman. Probyn expresses his concerns about his wife's health, stating 'She never complains, but I know that at times she is worse, or at any rate feels much worse, than she allows she is' and continuing 'You know her case, and what treatment she has received. I want her to see Sir William Gull before she goes to Sandringham, and Sir William has kindly promised to see her', adding 'I told Sir Wm. however that I would ask you to write to him….telling him what you know about Lady Probyn's ailment. Will you please do this for me, without fail' and further providing Gull's address at Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, concluding 'Nobody knows as much about Ly. Probyn's health as you do, and she kicks against seeing anybody else, but you will pardon a husband's anxiety in wanting a second opinion. I don't think she has ever been really strong since that illness she had at Milford, in 73 I think, when you were so kind to her'. One slight trace of former mounting to the upper left corner of the first page, not affecting the text or signature, VG Probyn had married Letitia Maria Thellusson in 1872 and she died at Park House, Sandringham, Norfolk, on 17th January 1900. William Gull (1816-1890) English Physician, linked to the Whitechapel murders of 1888 as being suspected of being Jack the Ripper.

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Military & Naval Leaders