Where to find Soldier, Job Smith in 1871, 1881

[murphy60]

Job Smith (b. 1843 Aston Clinton, Bucks) marries Mary Ann Slade in 1863

In 1871,  Mary Ann living on her own with son Thomas b. 1867  in Rothchilds Inn a pub in Aston Clinton,  No husband in residence

In 1881,  Mary Ann is still on her own with children Albert age 9 and Eliza age 1 on Weston Road in Aston Clinton.  No husband in residence.

On Eliza's birth registration (b. July 15, 1879) her father, Job Smith is noted as father and a Soldier.

Would Job Smith be on a military census of some sort since he is not in the regular census ?

Family story is that Job was in the Army for 12 years and retires in 1883 therefore would have joined Army about 1871
He immigrates to Canada with the family in 1884 and on to the U.S. by 1890.
His passenger list to Canada indicated “Labourer”  not Soldier in 1884

Thanks,
Murphy

[KGarrad]

If he is serving abroad, then he won't appear on any census!

[murphy60]

Was afraid that would be the answer!

Thanks!!

[km1971]

If he was serving in Ireland he would have been on that census. But Irish census from the 19th century have been destroyed. They did not have military census.

Depending when he enlisted he would have had to serve 20 years or more to receive a pension. They only kept the service records of men awarded a pension. The only way you will confirm his military service is to discover his regiment. This was before fixed depots so he could have joined any regiment passing through.

Clutching at straws you should ensure you have the birth certificates of the two children born in the 1870s - while he was serving. Then look at their church baptism records, in the hope that a regiment is given. You could also check an archive of local newspapers to see which regiments returned to the area prior to the births of the two children born in the 1870s.

Ken

[murphy60]

Ken, thanks very much for the detailed information  --  I have some work to do!

Some other tidbits of info --

Possible Job joined the army in 1866 -  in one place I have 1866 (17 years as a Soldier) and in another,  12 years in with retirement in 1883 .

Dau Eliza baptism was signed by Edward Jones, Archdeacon of St. Joseph  Her birth was in Aston Clinton, Bucks

Job was made "Assistant Commissary" in February, 1870 in Aldershot -- Hampshire 
There seems to be  a military museum there.

Thanks,

Murphy

 

[murphy60]

hmmmm...   

there is Job Smith  in 1871  in Hampshire  Soldier/Corporal   Age: 30  (1841)  Ft. Grange   born: Ireland ??   

He is sandwiched in on long list of Irish with a couple of soldiers from England mixed in.  Ireland could be   an error  but really grasping at straws on this

[km1971]

Job was made "Assistant Commissary" in February, 1870 in Aldershot -- Hampshire 

Assistant Commissary was an officer rank in the Commissariat (later ASC) equivalent to Lieutenant. Most Quartermasters were given honorary commissions as Lieutenants or Captains.
I found this - http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/23064/pages/513 - which could be him on the way to being commissioned.

Against this 23 is very young to be a Sergeant Major in the army.

Ken

[murphy60]

Ken,  Interesting

I had done some research too and found the rank of Lieutenant = Asst Commissary

Interesting further you attached info with the similarity in the 1866 date.

Few things come to mind,
There are not that many Job Smith  -- so could be ??
Job's birth date could be 1845  (from 1851 sighting) so younger still ??
Info I am working comes from a cousin  --  which needs to be taken a grain of salt  (ahem).  It is by far more correct (IMO, based on my research)  than not..... but still some errors and possible aggrandizement   
1866-1871 being Job's Army enlistment date range, to be promoted so quickly in 1870. On a real fast track ??

Score
2 against
1 for
1 50/50

Thanks for the input
Murphy