Deciphering a signature - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Expat Yeoman · #1 12-02-20, 10:32 PM

OK so my mystery here is not what is the item (it's a West Essex YC sabretache, of which I have shown the front elsewhere on the forum) but who is the original owner, so I'm hoping our expert graphologists can help.

My sabretache has an ink name to the back on the leather which I have to assume is its owner. It's a little smudged to the end but I believe the beginning to be W S.....

It's not clear if the smudge has destroyed some letters at the end or merely extended the ink from the signature.

Having gone through the list of known officers serving in the unit the most likely candidate is Lieutenant William Scott who served from 1852 - 1867, but I don't want to jump to a premature conclusion.

I've done a little editing to increase the contrast but otherwise the image is untouched.

Any advances on "W.S" would be most welcome.

Jelly Terror · #2 12-02-20, 10:35 PM

Self deleted

Hoot · #3 12-02-20, 11:36 PM

Michael, I would go for the initials being WD rather than WS.

Tinto · #4 13-02-20, 12:26 AM

"W Davidson"?
Tinto

dumdum · #5 13-02-20, 02:06 AM

Could I suggest, and not to confuse things, "W. B."? I have a friend who signs his surname like that.

tonyb · #6 13-02-20, 06:14 AM

I'd go for W Davies.
Tony.

Expat Yeoman · #7 13-02-20, 10:40 PM

Thanks all for the input, very helpful.

With further digging I have found a William Davis Jr, serving from 1852 - 1869 (Cornet 1852, Lieutenant 1860.) I think this could well be our man!