Who can read this soldier's handwriting?.....

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:11 pm

Hi Everyone

I have uploaded a soldier's record to the gallery - awaiting approval.

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-560

This is the service record of my 4 x Great Grandfather John Gordon (just got it from Kew today). He served in the Royal Horse Artillery from 1808 - 1818 and fought at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. There is a signature on the form just under the word Waterloo - I think this is the unit commander's signature - any ideas what the name is and the words below?

I think it may be:-

H or W Peter or Petie /Petrie
Capt 2 Comp RH Art.

If I can get this clearly identified it should help me to get more info on the battery or company in which my ancestor served and provide more search directions.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks lots

Ted

image url added by JustJean

pinkshoes · Post by **pinkshoes** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:40 pm

Hi Ted - don't think it's either of your suggestions - looks like there's another letter before the t, which could be an r (or maybe an s) so could be Pertie, Bertie, Pertee - something along those lines, but I couldn't say for sure. And the initial could be H or W - my eye sight ain't that hot

but I'm sure Eagle Eyes will be along soon.

Best wishes
Pinkshoes

apanderson · Post by **apanderson** » Wed May 24, 2006 11:04 pm

Hi Ted,

My suggestion:

W or H Porter, Capt. & Adjt. R (Royal) H (Horse) Arty (Artillery) ???

Anne

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed May 24, 2006 11:07 pm

I think the first letter , the initial, is an "H"

Best wishes
Lesley

apanderson · Post by **apanderson** » Wed May 24, 2006 11:07 pm

Forgot to say,

Have a wee look at this site: (lots of really knowledgable people there)

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?

Anne

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:08 am

apanderson wrote:Hi Ted,

My suggestion:

W or H Porter, Capt. & Adjt. R (Royal) H (Horse) Arty (Artillery) ???

Anne

Can't fault that

, - good to see that we have another pair of excellent eyes.

As to the intials in the signature, - they're always difficult..................

David

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Thu May 25, 2006 5:58 pm

Hi Everyone

Thanks a million for your keen eyes and suggestions - I concur that the most likely surname is Porter and that he was Captain & Adjutant in Royal Horse Artillery. This will help me a bit more.

Thanks lots

Ted

Post by **paddyscar** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:07 pm

Hi Ted

Couldn't decide between H or W ... so I followed what I believed to be the strokes as they were formed and I would now vote in favour of the H.

Another possibility for the surname could be Perter?

Frances

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Thu May 25, 2006 11:11 pm

Hi Frances

Thanks for your thoughts - I agree that H is most likely. I must confess - now that I have looked at the signature 10,000 times - Perter is a good contender. What I intend to do now is search on all of the very close possibilities.

Thanks lots for your help.

Best regards

Ted