Any idea's on this writing - ideally what does it say but a more realistic start would be what is it - its in the back of a liberated Far East POW Service Book, ignore the fact its on the will page, I think that was the easiest free space to use - I'm not sure if its some kind of shorthand or an alphabet from the Far East - the only clear bits are his name and number 940642 P J Willmott
No idea but he was 122 Fd Regt, reported missing 15.2.42 and then POW in Japanese hands. Full name Percy Jack.
If P J Willmott's civilian background was to be known,then it might indicate the use of shorthand,from a journalist or secretarial background.
Or something like a legal clerk (in a court for example) or somebody who worked for something like a council or governing body and had to take minutes.
Occupation is a smart line of thinking (so no surprise it didn't occur to me), but unfortunately in this case it doesn't help - he was a "Stone Polisher" which isn't really a job where knowledge of shorthand would be a massive advantage. It is of course possible that someone else wrote it. HIs middle name was Jock rather than Jack but I know the records are a bit mixed for some FEPOW names Cheers for all the thoughts so far
I think it's alphabetical but not easily decipherable due to the writer's poor handwriting (see signature) and written as speedwriting. Remember the ads. Gt gd jb = get a good job. https://copywritten.co.uk/improve-word-power/ Tim
Point taken. However if he was a Lithographic Stone Polisher he could have been employed by a news paper and whilst not needing short hand himself there would have been plenty of people kicking around who did from whom he might have picked it up.
There's a clue in the document from AB's post today 1.26pm. Look at Place of Capture, near the end on the right it looks like someone local has written that in a similar script. Alongside the japanese. So if you know where he was captured that should give the probable language.
Unlikely as in1939 (see # 11) his father was a stone dresser/quarryman and he was a stonemason labourer. Tim
That looks as though it is Japanese Kanji. There are parts of the paybook entry that could also be Kanji but I don't think all. Tim
Stone polishers are usually Lapidary Stone Polishers working with gem stones Lithographic Stone Polishers working for printers Memorial/decorative Stone Polishers usually working with marble - grave stones etc or for 'posh' builders all require some experience and some way from a stone mason labourer, think you've definitely got a mystery here.
Yes, it isn't Pitman shorthand. Kanji, dunno, I'm not convinced... hiragagna, I thought, maybe - but can't see it on a close comparison either. Fascinating mystery!
It looks like a form of Gregg Shorthand - invented by John Robert Gregg an Irish American - mainly used in America. It had the advantage of being easily adapted to languages that did not use the Roman system and was adopted by countries like Japan which then produced variants of it. Actually it looks closer to Handywrite which was developed from Gregg but not until the 1970s. Gregg is said to be easier to learn than Pitman.
You need to find an elderly retired secretary or two. Perhaps an American to see if it is in Gregg's.
Many people learnt shorthand at evening classes etc to improve their career prospects, eg becoming a journalist, as well as those who we could traditionaly associate it with, who aimed for a career in secretarial work. There are two links below where you may get your document translated: Gregg Shorthand - The Gregg Group was founded 22 May 2004, prompted by the lack of online shorthand resources. As the primary use for shorthand - business and legal recording - has waned in recent decades, we generally acclaim the skill as a hobby or personal tool. The purpose of the group is to promote the use of Gregg systems of shorthand by providing advice to beginners, support for students, and an association of users of this efficient, attractive, and enjoyable method of writing. Editor's Note - Gregg Shorthand
