WW1 Service Record GG-Uncle Percy's (Richardson) service record.

[Clogs]

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

[MaxD]

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

[cally_c]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[cally_c]

Thank you Stan

cally

[km1971]

Another source says it was from the Dutch telling inn keepers to turn off the taps. Stop selling beer

Ken

[cally_c]

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