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« on: Friday 14 February 14 05:13 GMT (UK) »
Thank you Garen . . !
>If he joined for 12 years short service (which came in in 1870), then that would have been 1871, the year of the census. If William was with the 2/14th Foot (PWO West Yorks.) from enlistment, then they were in England at that time - in Sheffield (he'd have been young, but if a drummer - possible).
There was a William Barber, aged 14, born London MDX on the 1871 census, Nether Hallam, Sheffield, at the Sheffield Barracks as a 'soldier' which may well be him.
>Have a look on Find My Past to see if there is a service record (WO97) for 2494 William Barber. I did see there is a WO121 discharge paper, which doesn't contain a lot of information, but gives a discharge date of Feb 1883.
This discharge date also fits as William married in 1884 in Bekshire (for the first time) and the second, in 1917 Surrey. Still awaiting the first marriage cert but from the indexes, his father was also 'William.'
I have looked at some military records on Findmypast but will check again. None so far had the correct service number. . . . .
William is not with his wife and only daughter in 1891 so only have him for sure in 1901 and 1911.
If in India in 1881, that rules out that census. Going backward has been the problem as it's a common name, with losts of options but this soldier in 1871 in Sheffield looks very good . . .!
Many thanks,
Linda