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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: annandalan1 on Sunday 16 February 14 15:33 GMT (UK)
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Please can someone help -
William Alfred Smith was born about 1849 in Ireland: According to his daughter Lily's Marriage Certificate in 1905 in Canterbury, Kent, although deceased by that date, William had been a Bandsman in The Buffs.
On 1891 England Census he was in Colchester, Essex (garrison town) living in civilian street as 'Hawker'. On both his son's birth certificate (Dec. 1893) and his own death certificate (Nov. 1893) he was 'Barrack labourer' 'Army Pensioner'.
I can't find his Army records online either on FindMyPast or Ancestry - can anyone tell me how I can find out if The Buffs were stationed in Colchester around that time, or could William Alfred have moved to another Army unit in Colchester?
I don't really understand much about military records.
Thanks - Ann
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Hi Ann
The Barrack Department was separate to the infantry. So he could have heard of the job as Barrack Labourer anywhere.
FindMyPast does have four entries for W Smith. You need to do an advanced search for the regiment in WO121. Three of the entries give limited information. But one says:
= 1394 2nd Bn East Kent Regt. Served 20 Dec 1866 to 20 Dec 1887 and awarded a pension for serving two periods of enlistment. Both battalions were in Ireland in 1866.
Without the service record all you have is his first and last entry in the muster books. These often give place of birth, age and sometimes intended residence. But nothing is guaranteed.
Ken
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Thanks for your help Ken - I've had another look on FindMyPast but as I don't know where in Ireland William Alfred was born, I think it's going to take me some time to find him, if I ever do.
It's helpful to know that the Buffs were in Ireland in 1866, as that would possibly have been about the time that William Alfred signed up.
Would I find the muster books on FindMyPast too?
Thanks
Ann
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Ann,
There was a Sergeant 3rd Regiment/2394 William Smith, in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd (East Kent) Regiment - The Buffs who served against the Zulu in 1879. I know it is one digit out from what Ken has given above, but it is a possible. The fact he has a regimental - rather than a Brigade - number indicates an old soldier.
John Y.
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Would I find the muster books on FindMyPast too?
Hi Ann
FindMyPast has the April 1861 muster online as the 'Worldwide Index'. Otherwise you have to go to Kew.
In trying to find John's 2394 William Smith I have found the papers for 1394. He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne c 1846 - http://www.findmypast.co.uk/army-service-records-show-image.action?sdrfnbr=973912096&pageNo=1
He was never a Drummer.
Ken