This undated signature of Major Gonville Bromhead appears to be an autograph in the proper sense being that there is no evidence of any other writing on either the front or reverse as there would have been having it been cut from a letter or document. So-called "cut signatures" are exactly that - signatures cut from letters and other documents by collectors in years gone by. This example seems to have been an exception to that historically unfortunate rule.

He has signed as a Major which would tend to date the autograph sometime after 1883 when he was promoted from Brevet Major. Old habits died hard and he has signed as a member of the 24th and not the South Wales Borderers which became the regiment's designation after 1881.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the famous defense of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony, South Africa on January 22-23, 1879.

Bromhead died in 1891 from typhoid in Allahabad, British India (Pakistan).

Autograph
3 7/8 inches by 1 5/8 Inches
(9.9 cm x 4 cm)
c. 1883