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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: cally_c on Friday 15 May 15 13:58 BST (UK)
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Hi everyone,
I would very much appreciate some help with deciphering this section of my GG-Uncle Percy's service record. I can pick out a few words, but not enough for his offence to make sense.
thank you,
cally
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Overstaying sick furlough from talt? 00 2-7-18 until reporting at 12 midnight 11-7-18 (Absent 9 days 2½ hours)
Stan
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Overstaying sick furlough from ?tattoo 2.7.18 until reporting at 12 midnight on 11.7.18 (absent 9days 2 1/2 hours)
Jan ;)
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Is the word on the left Thetford? Later there's 10 days CB (confined to barracks).
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I would have thought that the word before 2.7.18 would have been the time that he left on that day, given that he returned at midnight on the 11.7.18 and was absent for 9 days and 2 1/2 hours this would have been around 9.30pm, but it doesn't look anything like that, not sure what the word is but it does look like two zeros at the end.
donnie
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Thanks for your replies, they've been very helpful. I hadn't managed to pick out 'overstaying sick furlough' or 'until reporting at.'
Percy had been wounded in April 18 and he had a stay in hospital with pneumonia immediately after that. Looks like he took a detour on his way back to his unit!
many thanks,
cally
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Thetford...2.7.18...Sapper...Overstaying sick furlough from tattoo 2.7.18 until reporting at 12 midnight on 11.7.18 absent 9days 2 1/2 hours...cannot read next word....10 days CB...13.7.18....Looks like rank and sig...forfeit 10 days pay.
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The middle word is "Documentary" - describes the evidence.
maxD
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Tattoo a signal made, by beat of drum or bugle call, in the evening, for soldiers to repair to their quarters in garrison or tents in camp. OED
Stan
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Ok then so Tattoo looks unlikely unless it was an abbreviation for being generally confined to base rather than as a punishment? Ok it seems it was the right word...
http://www.afamilystory.co.uk/desborough/armed-forces/world-war-1-punishments.aspx
or later...
http://www.private-art.com/scrapbook/furlough/page4.html
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The significance of using the word Tattoo in the charge sheet is that the man had been granted a period of sick leave (furlough) which, as was standard practice, ended at the time of tattoo on the last day of leave. 2 July 1918 was a Tuesday. It was not good enough simply to report back in time for the first parade on the Wednesday, he was required to be back in camp the night before and before the specific time marked by tattoo. In this case, tattoo can be calculated as having been at 2130 hours, 9 30 pm, (as Donnie said) 9 days 2 and a half hours back from midnight on the 11th when he eventually returned.
A bit in the weeds perhaps. As Cally says, after his hospital stay he was allowed some leave before reporting back and he stayed away too long!
maxD
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Thank you everyone - my next question was to ask what 'tattoo' meant in this context.
According to his service record Uncle Percy overstayed his leave on quite a few occasions - he also had one incidence of drunkenness & one of wilful disobedience!
thanks again,
cally
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Tattoo a signal made, by beat of drum or bugle call, in the evening, for soldiers to repair to their quarters in garrison or tents in camp. OED
"The word TATTOO is a corruption of the ' Taps to Barracks ' which was a ceremony conducted by the Fyffes and Drums of the Regiment to get the soldiery out of the Pubs and back to barracks in time for 'first post' - 'last post' and 'lights out'." http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/74/a1172774.shtml
Stan
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Thank you Stan
cally
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Another source says it was from the Dutch telling inn keepers to turn off the taps. Stop selling beer
Ken
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Thanks Ken.
Percy overstayed his leave a few times according to his service record - including an episode of drunkenness in June 1917 and another for drinking in the cafe Les Clas Fleuri during prohibited hours in November 1918.
Cally