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Author Topic: Deciphering reason for court martial - Completed  (Read 1013 times)

Offline Wooltorton

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Deciphering reason for court martial - Completed
« on: Saturday 14 May 11 05:46 BST (UK) »
Is anyone able to decipher the reason my Great Great Grandfather, John Smith, was court martialled?  I can read every other word in the document but not what he was on trial for.  Maybe someone with military knowledge might be able to help. 
Thanks.

Offline PrueM

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Re: Deciphering reason for court martial
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 14 May 11 06:02 BST (UK) »
Looks like "Drunkenness"  :)

(I cropped the image for you - you can't post entire copyright images on this site as it's a breach of copyright conditions).

Offline Wooltorton

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Re: Deciphering reason for court martial
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 14 May 11 06:33 BST (UK) »
Oops sorry about that.  I am new to this. 
Drunkenness does seem highly likely.  So it would be a case of the double 's' at the end of the word being written as 'fs' in accordance with the times do you think?
Thanks for your help.  Does anyone else have any thoughts?

Offline Greensleeves

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Re: Deciphering reason for court martial
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 14 May 11 08:01 BST (UK) »
Hello Wooltorton and welcome to Rootschat!

I agree that the word is drunkenness - as you say, the double s  looks to us like 'fs'.

Regards,
GS
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Offline weste

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Re: Deciphering reason for court martial
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 14 May 11 08:54 BST (UK) »
Certainly looks like drunken and i agree that one letter in pat looks like an f.

Offline carol8353

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Re: Deciphering reason for court martial
« Reply #5 on: Saturday 14 May 11 10:27 BST (UK) »
I also agree with "drunkeness"  ;D
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Offline Wooltorton

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Re: Deciphering reason for court martial
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 15 May 11 04:10 BST (UK) »
Thanks for all your comments. 
This was my first try at Rootschat and I am so glad I gave it a go. 
Looks like 'drunkenness' is the verdict.  At the time of his Court Martial John was a Sergeant and was subsequently demoted to Private.  He did climb back up through the ranks to Sergeant Major and eventually became a Sergeant Instructor with the First Admininstration Battalion West york Rifle Volunteers.  He was also in possession of two Good Conduct Badges during his army career and his general character was described as 'good'.  So whilst he may have faced a Court Martial it seemed that he dedeemed himself. 
Thank you once again. 
 
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