Could this mean gay??

[Treetotal]

I found this very thought provoking and had a look online...it would appear that there was no terminology prior to 1869, when the term "Homosexual" was coined in Germany:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminology_of_homosexuality

Carol

[Mike in Cumbria]

I can't see anything in that description to suggest that he was homosexual.

[Gadget]

The little finger on my left hand is slightly bent. As far as I know I'm straight.

Like Mike, I see no evidence in the document that he was or was not gay.

[Mike in Cumbria]

The little finger on my left hand is slightly bent. As far as I know I'm straight.

90% straight, anyway.

[Gadget]

Straight as a die 

I was told that's it's a feature of Dupuytren's contracture  but it's not all that pronounced.

PS I wonder if the subject had this?

[Flattybasher9]

Clinodactyly means that your child has an abnormally bent or curved finger. It is typically caused by abnormal growth and development of the small bones of the finger. ... A significant percentage of people with Down syndrome, for example, have clinodactyly.

Malky

[maccalenny]

Thank you all for your thoughts! He signed up aged 18 and was a career soldier, till invalided out with ‘hepatic disease’ after 25 years. So I’m not sure he was reluctant to join up. He married later in life and had a large family, so my theory may be way off! A fake speech impediment just seems a really odd idea.

[deebel]

In 1825 Homosexuals could still be hung for commiting sodomy. The last hanging, for such an offence was in 1835. Refer to the execution of James Pratt and John Smith.

The only way of being gay in the forces at that time was to enlist in the Gordon Highlanders
"The finest regiment in the world" as per Winston C.
 

[shanreagh]

In 1825 Homosexuals could still be hung for commiting sodomy. The last hanging, for such an offence was in 1835. Refer to the execution of James Pratt and John Smith.

The only way of being gay in the forces at that time was to enlist in the Gordon Highlanders
"The finest regiment in the world" as per Winston C.

Oh very good!