Thomas Taylor, Gunner in Royal Artillery

[G63]

Thank you again.

[G63]

Checked the Scottish records for William Wills (birth/death). They confirm they are indeed the correct Wills. Thank you for all your suggestions. Still looking for Thomas Taylor and his wife Mary Anne Wills.  Last record I found was the birth of their daughter Sarah Anne in Ballymena.
Thanks again

[jonw65]

Hi
Do you have any info from the Ballymena record for Sarah Anne?
Perhaps Thomas died whilst serving in the army, there doesn't seem to be any real sign of him later in Belfast or Antrim (where Sarah Anne married and lived with her husband)

[G63]

Hi this is the information from the Birth/baptism record for Sarah Anne

Sarah Anne Taylor
Address given as Ballymoney Street,
                          Ballymena

D.O. B.  14 July, 1855
Father Thomas Taylor, Artillery Soldier
Mother Mary A Wills.

I’m not even sure if Sarah had any siblings.

[jonw65]

Hi
Thanks for the info
Sarah's date of birth is before the marriage, so Thomas and Mary Anne had known each other for some while. Which may be significant perhaps, in terms of where Thomas was with the RA, and when he was there! Presumably in Ireland, but the Wills have links with England, and William Wills was in Scotland shortly after his marriage.

I am finding some stuff on TNA website, it's too late for me to process any of it now, so I will just try and post it.

[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)

Here we go!
From the Royal Artillery Description Books.
Thomas Taylor born Ballinderry, in Woolwich in 1851, died in 1856.

Royal Artillery Description of Soldiers on joining Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 8
Soldier's Number 379: Thomas TAYLOR.
From Ballinderry, Moira, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 20 years.
Note: Transferred to 10 Battalion 1846.
Ref: WO 69/76/329
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14417029

Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 2 Battalion Numbers 2737 to 3242.
This entry appears on opening 180
Soldier's number 641: Thomas TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Moira, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 20 years.
Note: Transferred to 4 Battalion 1851.
Ref: WO 69/653/166
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13483083

Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 4 Battalion Numbers 3199 to 3671.
This entry appears on opening 314
Soldier's Number 3501: Thomas TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Moira, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 20 years.
Discharged 1856.
Discharge reason: Dead.
Ref: WO 69/111/303
Date: 1846 - 1856
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12631357

[jonw65]

Let's look at Robert. It looks to me like he joined at more or less the same time as Thomas.
Sadly, he died in 1851.

Royal Artillery Description of Soldiers on joining Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 8
Soldier's Number 381: Robert TAYLOR.
From Ballinderry, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 17 years.
Note: Transferred to 10 Battalion 1846.
Ref:    WO 69/76/331
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14417031

Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 2 Battalion Numbers 2737 to 3242.
This entry appears on opening 182
Soldier's number 643: Robert TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 17 years.
Note: Transferred to 4 Battalion 1851.
Ref: WO 69/653/166
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13483083

Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 4 Battalion Numbers 3199 to 3671.
This entry appears on opening 315.
Soldier's Number 3502: Robert TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 17 years.
Discharged 1851.
Discharge reason: Dead.
Ref: WO 69/111/304
Date: 1846 - 1851
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12631358

[jonw65]

This could be him

Register of Deceased Soldiers and Next of Kin. Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 36v.
Thomas TAYLOR.
Note: Next of Kin Mary Ann of Belfast, Antrim, wife.
No date of death.
Ref: WO 69/586/1079
Date: 1823-1859
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13470888

[jonw65]

Is this the same man?
   
Register of Deceased Soldiers and Next of Kin. Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 15r.
Thomas TAYLOR died 1856, in Woolwich.
Note: Sickness.
Covering dates indicate year of death.
Ref: WO 69/586/597
Date: 1856
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13470406

There could be a death certificate?
TAYLOR, THOMAS       
Age at Death (in years): 30 
GRO Reference: 1856  S Quarter in GREENWICH  Volume 01D  Page 396