Here’s a wild one, and if it’s been covered already, my apologies. A colleague of mine stumbled upon a book detailing the exploits of the Irish Regiments from 1683 to 1999. There is a specific example of a “promotion from the ranks to commissioned without purchase.” It singles out a workhouse orphan who enlisted at the age of 12 in 1797. At the siege of Bhurtpore 1804-05, he performed with such gallantry that he was given an ensigncy, and was almost at once promoted to a lieutenancy. He later wrote a paper (1831) decrying the practice of flogging as “barbarous,” which greatly influenced Sir Francis Burdett, MP, in his campaign against the punishment. He left detailed accounts of his service. His name, was Shipp. Mike Holbrook