Thomas Taylor, Gunner in Royal Artillery

[G63]

I was wondering if anyone could help find some records/information.  Firstly, I have to apologise as I have very limited information.  This is what I know.
Thomas Taylor born about 1827
His father was Edward Taylor
He was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery (recorded on his marriage certificate)
Married Mary Anne Wills 22 Sept 1855 in Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Know it’s not much to go on but here’s hoping.

Regards,
Geraldine.

[ShaunJ]

This is what I know

You didn't mention that the father Edward Taylor was a farmer.  Do you know anything else about Thomas?  Do you know where he was born? Where did he and Mary live in later life?

Marriage record: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1855/09482/5436405.pdf

[G63]

So sorry Shaun. I don’t have much….I knew it was a long shot. Thomas and Mary Anne had a daughter Sarah Anne Taylor born 14 July, 1855 in Ballymena.

Mary Anne’s father was James Wills who was a Quarter Master(?) in the Royal Engineers.

Sarah Anne Taylor married. Robert Gastin 3 April, 1881 in Belfast, although Roberts residence was recorded as being in Glasgow.

Geraldine

[ShaunJ]

Not having much luck with military records (not much survives for RA gunners named Thomas Taylor who were born circa 1827). 

This entry in the 1851 census at Woolwich caught my eye:

Thomas Taylor age 25, Gunner & Dr with 10th Batt, born Ballanderry, Co Antrim.

Just a possibility!

[jonw65]

This entry in the 1851 census at Woolwich caught my eye:

Thomas Taylor age 25, Gunner & Dr with 10th Batt, born Ballanderry, Co Antrim.

Recorded under him is Robert Taylor, 22, with the same birth place. So I suppose they could be related (brothers or cousins?)
There are only two Thomas Taylors in the RA in the 1851 Army Index. The one in Woolwich, who, along with Robert, was in the 10th Battalion, 5th Company.
And one stationed in Dublin (7th Battalion, 5th Company)

So, theoretically, if the TT we are looking for was in the RA in 1851, and if the muster rolls are complete, there would be a 50% possibility that it is the right guy in Woolwich?

A quick look at the baptisms/births index on the UHF website, there is one for a Thomas Taylor somewhere in Antrim in 1824, with father Edward. Likely mother's name Sarah.
Followed by six more to the Edward/Sarah Taylor combination, next are Edward (1826) and Robert (1828)

[G63]

Thank you so much Shaun and Jonw65 for taking the time to help. It’s greatly appreciated. I am hitting a lot of brick walls with the Wills family.
On Thomas and Mary’s marriage registration, Mary records her father was a Pensioner.  Would this perhaps mean he was retired from the army?

[jonw65]

Hi
It could mean that.
There is a marriage for a William Wills, at the same church, Kirkinriola, in 1853, to Margaret Coulter.
Father James Wills, Pensioner
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1853/09442/5420742.pdf

[jonw65]

That seems to be followed by a birth of a son William in Scotland in 1855.
Father William Wills. Mother Margaret Coulter
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYBK-4BL

[jonw65]

So I guess that birth is the one on ScotlandsPeople,
William Wills, 1855, Irvine Burgh, Ref 595 / 1 / 136

Though the index result doesn't give us the mother's maiden name.
1855 was the first year of civil registration in Scotland. There was extra info recorded that year, birth certs included the parents' ages and places of birth.