Drum Major :

[Iain...]

Evening All…

I’m trying to find the name of the Drum Major of my 2nd Battalion Scots Guards at Waterloo. (3rd Regiment of Foot Guards)
‘Normally,’ he should have been attached to HQ-Company while dealing with the distribution of the Drummers/Buglers throughout the Battalion, depending on the wounded, prisoners and the deaths. (communications)  There’s another extremely interesting reason for my research, but I’ll explain that later. 

If, the D/M was with HQ, I have annexed a part of the ‘Returns,’ (for pay purposes) with the Company under the command of Lt. Col. Keates.  In his Company, we can see the Sergeant Major on the first line. 
However, the second line concerning William Thompson’s rank, is starting to give me a headache.
Can anyone confirm that the ‘squiggles’ represent the rank of Drum Major ? 

Thanks in advance…, Iain. 

[Iain...]

Hmmmm...   Looks like Battalion Drill Sergeant.   

[BumbleB]

I'll agree with Drill Sergeant. 

[ShaunJ]

QM Sgt

[ShaunJ]

The Waterloo Roll Call lists him as Quartermaster Sergeant.

[horselydown86]

QM Sgt

Yes, but actually: Q^rM^r

[Iain...]

Thank you everyone.   Sorry BumbleB…, lol, I led you astray. 

Yes, that now looks like QM and is totally logical for Bn. HQ.
I have most of the returns for the Battalion, so I’ll check them out to see if he was hiding somewhere ‘cushy’ during the fighting.   

In fact, despite the success of the battle, the Guards Courts-Martialled 34 of their men…, from which, two received 300 lashes each.  It was always a Drummer who carried the cat-o’nine-tails, and it was the Drum Major who did the counting.  And during my description, I would like to have named him. 

Have a nice day…, Iain. 

[BumbleB]

No problem - he/she who never made a mistake never made anything! 

[Iain...]

So true...