Читать книгу The Fatal Cup: Thomas Griffiths Wainewright and the strange deaths of his relations - John Price Williams - Страница 23

ensign; today’s rank would be a second lieutenant. (The equivalent in a cavalry regiment was a cornet; both ranks were abolished in the army reforms of 1871, as was the purchase of commissions).

With £735 to spare he could have become a cornet in the dragoons (which, in fact, he later hinted he had been) and £1,050 would have bought a coveted cornetcy in the fashionable Horse Guards, according to the table of prices for commissions printed in the Army’s General Regulations and Orders of 1815.

The recruiting agent in London for the 16th Foot was named Brett, his office was in Soho. It was there that Wainewright went with his £400, and his application to join the regiment is still in the National Archives1 with a covering letter from Brett:

Gerrard Street, Soho 11th April 1814

Sir,

I beg leave to enclose for the consideration of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief the enclosed application from Mr T.G. Wainewright for the purchase of an Ensigncy with the 16th Regiment of Foot, and to add that the regulated purchase money has been lodged with me. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant.

P. Brett

Wainewright wrote:

Colonel Torren

1. WO 31/ 397

JOHN PRICE WILLIAMS

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