# Colonel Trench — The Four Feathers character guide > Colonel Trench in The Four Feathers by A. E. W. Mason. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Trench, Captain Trench, II Captain Trench **First appearance:** 0004-ii-captain-trench-and-a-telegram ## Snapshot A British officer rotting in the prison at Omdurman, Trench becomes the object of Harry's most dangerous gamble and the second feather's return. ## Who they are Trench is one of the men who sent Harry a white feather, and he is now a prisoner in the Sudan, half-forgotten by the world that once honored him. Harry's plan to fetch him out of Omdurman gives the middle of the novel its shape and its stakes. Trench's suffering makes the feathers mean something heavier than social disgrace. ## Relationships ### [Harry Feversham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/harry_feversham) _friendship_ Trench is a fellow officer and friend who initially doubts Harry but later comes to respect his bravery and dedication. ### [Durrance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/durrance) _professional_ Trench and Durrance are fellow officers, sharing a professional respect and occasional camaraderie. ### [Ethne Eustace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/ethne_eustace) _friendship_ Trench and Ethne have a friendly acquaintance, with Trench showing concern for her well-being. ### [Harry Feversham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/harry_feversham) _friendship_ Trench is a fellow officer and friend who initially doubts Harry but later comes to respect his bravery and dedication. ### [Harry Feversham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/harry_feversham) _friendship_ Trench is a fellow officer and friend who initially doubts Harry but later comes to respect his bravery and dedication. ### [Ethne Eustace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/ethne_eustace) _friendship_ Trench and Ethne have a friendly acquaintance, with Trench showing concern for her well-being. ### [Durrance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/durrance) _professional_ Trench and Durrance are fellow officers, sharing a professional respect and occasional camaraderie. ### [Ethne Eustace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/ethne_eustace) _friendship_ Trench and Ethne have a friendly acquaintance, with Trench showing concern for her well-being. ### [Durrance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/durrance) _professional_ Trench and Durrance are fellow officers, sharing a professional respect and occasional camaraderie. ## In the story ### [The Four Feathers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/the-four-feathers) One of Harry's friends, who is the first to send a white feather, signifying his belief in Harry's cowardice. ### [II: Captain Trench and a Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/ii-captain-trench-and-a-telegram) Observes Feversham's reaction to the telegram and later deduces its likely source, leading him to seek out Castleton. ### [IV: The Ball at Lennon House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/iv-the-ball-at-lennon-house) One of the officers who sent the white feathers; his card is found in the box. ### [XVIII: The Answer to the Overture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xviii-the-answer-to-the-overture) Mentioned as a prisoner at Omdurman, the likely destination of Feversham. ### [XXI: Ethne Makes Another Slip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxi-ethne-makes-another-slip) Imprisoned in Omdurman, the object of Feversham's rescue plans. ### [XXII: Durrance Lets His Cigar Go Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxii-durrance-lets-his-cigar-go-out) Mentioned as one of the dinner guests, Trench is part of the group that witnessed Feversham's receipt of the telegram. ### [The House of Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxvii-the-house-of-stone) Endures the nightly ordeal of the House of Stone, fights for survival, and discovers Feversham among the prisoners. Feels deep remorse for his part in sending the feathers. ### [XXVIII: Plans of Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxviii-plans-of-escape) Cares for Feversham during his illness and shares his deep desire to die at home. Forms a strong friendship with Feversham. ### [XXIX: Colonel Trench Assumes a Knowledge of Chemistry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxix-colonel-trench-assumes-a-knowledge-of-chemistry) Falls gravely ill, recovers, and boldly claims expertise in gunpowder to secure a new chance. ### [XXX: The Last of the Southern Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxx-the-last-of-the-southern-cross) Shows intense anxiety and relief, especially when obtaining weapons, and is moved by the disappearance of the Southern Cross. ### [XXXI: Feversham Returns to Ramelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxxi-feversham-returns-to-ramelton) Mentioned as having visited Ethne a fortnight ago, and as having told her about the fourth feather. ### [XXXIII: Ethne Again Plays the “Melusine Overture”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/chapters/xxxiii-ethne-again-plays-the-melusine-overture) Mentioned as the source of Durrance's knowledge about the fourth feather. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters/colonel_trench - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_four_feathers_se/characters