United Kingdom. A Commission Document to Major John (Jack) Fowke, 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot, 1866

Document printed in black ink on a linen stock, with individualized inscriptions in handwritten black ink, obverse inscribed "Victoria by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith Vca To Out Trusty and well beloved J. S. Ferguson Fowke, Esquire, Greeting. We do by these Presents Constitute and appoint You to be Major of Infantry from the 1st of April 1866. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Major by doing and performing all and all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time as you shall receive from Us or any of your superior Officer according to the Rules and Discipline of War. / In Witness whereof the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief and one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State in pursuance of the Order of Her Majesty in Council bearing date the Seventh day of June 1862, and by Command of Her Majesty under Her Royal Sign Manual of even date herewith hereunto subscribe their names this Twenty-first day of May, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six." To the far left of the text is a series of seals and markings, including: an embossed seal on a square-shaped light blue paper, the paper angled, the seal bearing the coat-of-arms of Queen Victoria surmounted by the Royal crown, surrounded by the inscriptions "HONI SOIT MAL Y PENSE" and "BRITANNIARUM REG. F. D. VICTORIA DEL GRATIA"; a "J" printed in black ink below the seal on the document itself; a rectangular-shaped ultramarine blue paper embossed "ONE POUND TEN SHILLINGS", with a tiny silver insert placed in the middle of the text, the text within a floral frame and surmounted by the Royal crown with an "E" to the left and a fleur-de-lis to the right of the crown; a circular stamp in black ink bearing the Royal crown, inscribed "LONDON" above and dated "4. 8. 66" (August 4, 1866), with the top portion of the stamp overlying the aforementioned paper; inscribed "Entered" and "War Office." with the signature of Edward Lugard (General Sir Edward Lugard GCB, PC) in between. It is addressed to "J.S. Ferguson Fowke, Esqu / Major / Half Pay (Late 54th Foot)" at the lower left and signed "George. / War" at the lower right. There are three vertical fold lines, which divide the document into four panels, and when folded into the four panels, the embossed impression of the Royal coat-of-arms on the light blue paper that appears on the first panel is transferred to the other three panels. The reverse is addressed "J.S. Ferguson Fowke, Esqu / Major / Half Pay / (Late 54th Foot) / 29. 5. 66" (May 29, 1866) on the third panel, with a black and white printed stamp backing the One Pound Ten Shillings embossed stamp, the printed stamp bearing the Victorian crown above her "VR" cypher on the first panel. The document measures 324 mm (w) x 475 mm (h), with the obverse of the panels at the far left and far right of the document slightly discoloured versus the two central panels and the reverse, the document showing no signs of tearing, better than very fine.

Footnote: John (Jack) Stevenson Ferguson Fowke was born on September 18, 1825 in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland. He was educated at Dungannon College, County Tyrone, Ireland, then later, at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Berkshire, England. He served with the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot from 1842 to 1868 and while in India, he collected snakes. J.S. Ferguson Fowke was 40 years of age when he was promoted to the rank of Major on April 1, 1866, the commission document signed on May 21, 1866. Announcements of his promotion appeared in the London Gazette 23121 of Tuesday, May 29, 1866, page 3197, under the heading "Half-Pay": "Captain and Brevet-Major J. S. Ferguson Fowke, from the 54th Foot, to be Major, without purchase. Dated 1st April, 1866." and in Bulletins and Other State Intelligence, page 498, under the heading "Half-Pay": "Captain and Brevet-Major J.S. Ferguson Fowke, from the 54th Foot, to be Major, without purchase, Dated 1st April, 1866." An additional announcement appeared in the London Gazette 23278 of Friday, July 19, 1867, page 4045: "1st West India Regiment, Major J. S. Ferguson Fowke, from half-pay, late 54th Foot, to be Major, vice Thomas Bruce Hutton, who retires upon temporary half-pay. Dated 20th July, 1867." Major John (Jack) Stevenson Ferguson Fowke died at Springhurst, St. Martin's, Guernsey, on November 5, 1917, at the age of 92. He is buried in St Martin's Parish Church, Guernsey, Channel Islands.