Help with John Elder

[Golden Oldie]

I wonder if someone could give me some advice.
I have a John Elder on the 1901 English census. He is 32, a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery based in Plymouth Citadel District. According to later census he was born in County Derry.
Do you think that he joined up in England and what chance have I of finding his birth
Thank you

[aghadowey]

If his age in the census is correct he was born c1869 but you wiil need more information to know if and when you find the right John Elder. Between 1864-1873 there were at least 12 John Elders born in Co. Londonderry.
Did he marry? marriage certificate might give father's name and occupation.
Any surviving army records? they might give his place of enlistment and other details.

[Golden Oldie]

He married in 1903 in England. His fathers name was James and he was a Job Master but I do not know what that is.
I also dont know where to look for Army records for that date. I looked on Ancestry but it seems to be 1914 onwards.

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   This is one possibility.
23 May 1870 John Elder born to James Elder and Rebecca Bealey in Ballykelly, Limavady, Co. Londonderry.

Regards

[Golden Oldie]

Thank you very much. That is one that I can look into

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
    I have found this couple on another site where it gives the mother's surname as BAILEY.

Regards

[Golden Oldie]

Did you mean the details were all the same except the mothers surname

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   I did a parent search on the IGI and the children were all born in the Ballykelly/Limavady area and the only difference was the spelling of mother's surname.

Regards

[aghadowey]

Found this possible description of Job Master: "Supplied horses, carriages and drivers for hire."