WW1 death plague name difference

**BarneyDave** · 05-10-2018, 02:07 PM

Have found a death plaque online that I just wanted to check with people. My only query with it is the middle name on it differs by 1 letter and was wondering if this sort of thing did happen. I can only find one casualty with the name, but wondering if just a error when it was made.

Any thoughts?

Dave

**BrodieBartfast** · 05-10-2018, 02:17 PM

It's not uncommon, especially where a surname is hard to pronounce or has multiple spellings. For example, the surnames Johnson/Jonson. I've never seen such a mismatch myself, but given how many soldiers perished in the Great War, a few mistakes here and there were bound to be made.

Regards, B.B.

**BarneyDave** · 05-10-2018, 02:38 PM

Thanks

It is the middle name that is slightly incorrect, Lister on the plaque but seems it should be Lester. How could the error affect the providence of the item?

**BrodieBartfast** · 05-10-2018, 02:41 PM

I honestly have no idea. It may appeal to some collectors. To others, it may not. If the soldier's middle name is misspelt, but his other names, rank and regiment are the same, it's highly unlikely - but not impossible - that it would belong to someone else.

B.B.

**Jerry B** · 05-10-2018, 02:56 PM

Post the full name on the plaque. It would help understand it,is it a common or unique name?

**BlackCat1982** · 05-10-2018, 03:24 PM

by BarneyDave

Have found a death plaque online that I just wanted to check with people. My only query with it is the middle name on it differs by 1 letter and was wondering if this sort of thing did happen. I can only find one casualty with the name, but wondering if just a error when it was made.

Any thoughts?

Dave

What are you checking it against, just the VDK Grabersuche?

**BarneyDave** · 05-10-2018, 03:34 PM

by Jerry B

Post the full name on the plaque. It would help understand it,is it a common or unique name?

The name on plaque is Reginald Lister Speake, but only casualty I can find is Reginald Lester Speake

**BrodieBartfast** · 05-10-2018, 03:59 PM

In that case, I'd say it likely was a mistake. 'Lister' and 'Lester' sound very much alike when spoken aloud.

B.B.

**Jerry B** · 05-10-2018, 04:17 PM

in this case, as he is the only R Speake then it was a spelling mistake at the foundry, which did happen, though not often and when it did they were sometimes returned for correction or replacement.