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25 Nov 08 - 12:51 PM (#2501344) Subject: The Deserter- in real life From: Paul Burke From the Ipswich Journal: February 5th 1785 At a court martial held at Ipswich, his Majesty has approved the proceedings that George Smith alias French, a private in the dragoon regiment quartered at Ipswich for desertion was sentenced to be shot. It is said the unhappy criminal has deserted 17 times from different regiments. February 12th 1785 The dragoon who was sentenced to be shot is to sent to the West Indies for life. So no Prince Albert in his carriage and six (he hadn't even been born then anyway), and certainly no happy ending to this one, though if he was lucky he might have descendants living in the West Indies. |
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26 Nov 08 - 10:56 AM (#2502088) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: pavane I thought Prince Albert was in the "New" deserter anyway. There must have been an older one. |
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26 Nov 08 - 12:07 PM (#2502138) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: NormanD In the 'new' Deserter, the protagonist is sentenced to be shot only after his second desertion. He was sentenced to 303 (I presume lashes) after being caught the first time. George Smith (aka French) managed to bunk off 17 times. I wonder why his escape attempts were so unsuccessful? |
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27 Nov 08 - 03:09 AM (#2502662) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC 17 times? Could it be that he got his pay for joining up (Kings shilling?) then absconded & joined up elsewhere to get his joining up fee after boozing away the previous? Then someone recognised him & he was caught. Just an idea. |
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27 Nov 08 - 03:12 AM (#2502663) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: NormanD Hmm, that's a reasonable explanation. But would it sound good set to music? |
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27 Nov 08 - 04:22 AM (#2502681) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC It could have at least 21 verses :-) Introduce character (who/when) Idea for making money 1st joining 2nd etc - 17th Capture Fate |
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27 Nov 08 - 05:39 AM (#2502724) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: NormanD That's really funny, B-Hawk. I can see this one getting stolen. Can I suggest (n.b. the small addition at the end) - "It could have at least 21 verses: Introduce character (who/when) Idea for making money 1st joining 2nd etc - 17th Capture Fate © 2008 B-Hawk" You could, of course, leave it for the folk process to develop it into "trad. arr. by (INSERT NAME HERE)" |
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27 Nov 08 - 05:57 AM (#2502731) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC Wish I had more time - we could have a 'hit' here :-) |
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27 Nov 08 - 06:28 AM (#2502755) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Rog Peek Whoops! Hit the wrong key! I always thought thet the '303' was a euphemism for him being shot, .303 having been the standard issue bullet in the service. Rog |
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27 Nov 08 - 06:43 AM (#2502774) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC I understand that the original was believed to be from the 18th century in which case .303 cartridges had not been invented. Plus, later verses mention 503 which would be an odd calibre. Also, later verses mention that he had 'only' received 33 & 53 respectively so does that mean he was shot with smaller calibres? :-) |
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27 Nov 08 - 06:48 AM (#2502779) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: pavane I think the tale predates the .303. (?1880) It was almost certainly lashes in the song |
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27 Nov 08 - 08:22 AM (#2502829) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Rog Peek Then I stand corrected. Rog |
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27 Nov 08 - 08:54 AM (#2502847) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: Teribus Weren't peope who made a living out of repeated "enlistment" followed immediately by "desertion" called "Scramblers"? |
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27 Nov 08 - 04:35 PM (#2503121) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: VirginiaTam Somebody write the bloody song..... I want to sing it. |
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27 Nov 08 - 05:32 PM (#2503151) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: terrier Stand in line VT, we'd all like a crack at singing it :) Anyway, after 17 tries at deserting, he should have been awarded a medal for persistance. Each of the 17 desertion verses could be a diferent story of how he got away with it, a sort of Lalla Rookh of the Dragoons. |
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28 Nov 08 - 03:36 AM (#2503337) Subject: RE: The Deserter- in real life From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC AARRGGH - terrier, you have just nearly doubled/trebled the song! 17 enlists - 17 deserts - 17 consequences (he didnt get away with 17 of 'em. He may have deserted 30 times but only caught 17) This could be a ballad in the old style - 40+ verses. |