William John Hopkins Barber Army Service Record Help Please

[dee57]

William John Hopkins Barber

I am trying to determine my Gt G'Fathers' Army Service Record but I am having some difficulties.
He lived in Canterbury Kent and I believe was part of The Buffs and then the Rifle Brigade around 1919.
I have been told that he served in India and also 'stood guard at the Taj Mahal?'.
He was born 4 February 1876 and was known as 'Jack'.
Any information gratefully received, Thank you.

[rosie17]

There is a record on Ancestry for a William John Barber birth year about 1877 Willingdon Sussex
Enlistment date 26 June 1900 Staplehurst age 23
Regiment number 6358
Regiment Buffs East Kent

Father William mother Jane Crown ?? brothers Frederick and Arthur
Would this be him ?

Rosie

[rosie99]

Looks like he was born in the Canterbury area 
Births Mar 1876   
William John H Barber
Canterbury    2a   783

[rosie99]

A large number of WW1 service records were destroyed in WW2 so it is possible that none exist for him

[dee57]

The National Army Museum has 2 collections which may be him:

Papers collected by RSM William John ('Jack') Barber, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and King's African Rifles; predominantly letters, postcards, documents, envelopes and press cuttings relating to his service in British East Africa with the King's African Rifles. From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.   Photographs   2000-11-87

Collection of 23 black and white photographs compiled by RSM William John ('Jack') Barber, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 1912-1920 (c). From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.
Any further info very welcome if anyone can help. I know records were destroyed but some evidence is probably out there?

[rosie99]

If he served after 1920 his records will be with the MOD
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0

Where does he appear on the 1939 register and what was his occupation 

[dee57]

Have modified - copied and pasted wrong bit but now correct.  Living in Dover Street Canterbury, 1939 register.

[rosie99]

I have deleted your quote from my post.  You are still showing possible dates of service in 1920 so my link to the MOD still applies

Rosie

[dee57]

Thanks. I also think he served in Africa during the mid to late 1890s.