Possibly a very silly question!!!!

[galante]

I am trying to trace a Joseph Morgan born abt 1850 in much birch herefordshire.I cannot find him on either the 1871 or 1881 census.  On his death certificate in 1909 it say Ostler, Army Pensioner, he died in the Rhonda, but all his family in the 1871 census were living in Much Birch, Hereford.  I have learnt now never to make assumptions, but are there any educated guesses I could make as to where he may have joined up.  Would these dates mean that he may have served in India or elsewhere abroad.  Any ideas would be welcomed, though I am aware that there maybe no avenues to follow.