I have refreshed the Matilda thread where this was discussed.

It was also discussed on, IIRC, uk.music.folk and Pete Coe himself contributed to the discussion. Do a Dejanews search under his name or Rochester Recruiting Sergeant and it should show up. He was informed of the Digital Tradition and was amused or bemused that there were two versions on offer of his song.

He said he did indeed get the first stanza out of a magazine and wrote the rest.