Dighton Macnaghten Probyn was born on 21 January 1833. Entering the army in 1849, he served in India and China, rising to the rank of general in 1888. He served as equerry to the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, from 1872 until 1877, when he was appointed comptroller and treasurer. Between 1901 and 1910, he was keeper of the Privy Purse and extra equerry to King Edward VII, after which he served as comptroller to Queen Alexandra and extra equerry to King George V. Throughout his career, he received numerous honours, including the Victoria Cross in 1857, and a knighthood in 1887. Retiring from the office of governor of Wellington College in 1919, he died on 20 June 1924.
From the guide to the Sir Dighton Probyn collection, 1906-1910, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
