Reading Mercury

Deserters

Monday, 11th August 1794

Deserted, from the Berkshire Regiment of Militia, from East-Bourn Camp, at 11 o'clock at night, July 28, 1794, Richard Stanley, a gipsey, 20 years of age, 5 feet 11 inch and a half high, his complextion as dark as a mulatio's, dark black hair, remarkable well looking and well set up; travels the counties of Hants, Berks, and Wilts, chiefly the latter, gets his livelihood by dancing and playing on the violin; is supposed to be gone to Holybourne, near Alton, and resorts much in the neighbourhood of Wroughton, Uffcott, and Broad Hinton, Wilts, where he is well known. He sometimes resides at Stanley-Green near Hungerford. He is in company with a handsome, good-looking woman, well dressed, who lately kept the tap at the Star Inn, Southampton, and who comes from Henred, near Wantage.

Also deserted, at same time, Thomas Stanley, brother to the above, a gipsey, aged 32 years, 5 feet 10 inches, as dark as his brother, round shouldered, two fingers on one hand crooked, is a razor grinder, and when he joined the regiment, left his tools and wheelbarrow at Stanley-Green, near Hungerford. He is also in company with a young woman, rather taller than the above. The elder Stanley is supposed to have on a suit of green livery cloaths.

Whoever apprehends the above deserters, shall receive five guineas reward, over and above what is allowed by act of Parliament, or Two Guineas and a Half for each.