The basic problem here, despite my earlier statement about better educated men in the ranks, is the literacy barrier which too often renders them statistical cyphers, which is what this thesis explores.

I know of only one book supposedly written by an army wife of the period but there is reason to think it is a forgery, or at least considerably embroidered.

On marriage, by the end of the period, the official permitted number of wives was 6 per company on active (field) service and 10 (sometimes 12 in special circumstances)on garrison or home service, including colonial garrisons. For each wife, it has been my experience in going through documentation that you can expect 1.5 children (no jokes, please, this is statistics). However, there can be variations as the matter of wives was always left to the battalion CO. When I refer to wives I mean those on ration strength, the soldiers often acquired unofficial wives who, though they might be permitted to live in barracks or accompany their husbands, did not receive rations, neither did their children.

I could go on about this subject at some length but, in trepidation of the "Watchers," it would be best if you contacted me offline.

DE Graves