1911 Census and RWF - How can I determine where a member was at this time?

Hello,
I am currently trying to trace my GGrandfather, Sgt John Henry Parry and curious as to why I cannot find him in the 1911 UK Census.

I know that he was in Egypt with the RWF as his third child, Edward Parry - my great Uncle- was born there. His date of birth was: February 24th, 1910.
Am I correct in assuming that Sgt. Parry's posting to Egypt may have kept him in out of the UK during the Cenus since his wife was obviously with him in Egypt. If the posting had been a short one would his wife have been with him?

What I know:
John Henry Parry was born the Fourth of June, 1880 in Llandeiniolen, Caerarvon (place unconfirmed)
He joined the RWF before 1900 and served in the Boer War. I have a picture of him in his uniform taken somewhere in South Africa.

He was married in Yelverton, Devon in 1904 to Louisa Sampson

I can determine some of Sgt. Parry's movements by looking at the birth dates of his children.

First child born in Chatham, London in 1906.
Second child born in Horrabridge, Devon in 1908.
Third child born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1910.
Fourth child born in Boverton, Glamorganshire in 1914.
Fifth child born in Caerpant, Caernarfon in 1916.
Sixth child born in Caerpant, Caernarfon in 1917.
Seventh child born in Menai Bridge, Angelsey in 1919.

I believe that Sgt Parry was in the 42nd Regiment (?) as I found his daughter, my Grandmother - Annie Cecilia Parry in a list of military births with that regiment listed. No place indicated but Volume 1328 page 87 is listed in the entry.

I know he was wounded in the arm in the WW1 as I have a picture of him with other patients and nurses during his recovery His wound was a source of many stories according to my dad and other family members.

I would like to confirm Sgt Parry's place and date of birth, his date of enlistment and discharge and his awards and citatations during his military career. He emigrated with the entire family, some of whom were adult age to Canada in 1925 and was featured in a newspaper at the time. I have a photograph of him and the family just before their departure.

Incidentally, he moved to Canada and was provided a homestead under a government plan to do with veterans. I would like to find out anything that I can about the circumstances surrounding this grant, if possible.

There has been some question as to his rank at the time of his discharge with some relatives saying his was a Master Sargeant and others saying he only made Sargeant.
I'd like to find out where I can get the details of his service.
Can anyone help me wiith these inquires?

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
David Olson
Kelowna, BC, Canada

Hi David

I have been having a look through my records trying to pick out your GGrandfather.

As you can imagine, quite a few Parry's with the RWF, so proving difficult.

Are you able to clarify a few points in your (excellent) post ? Do you know if he was in the RWF for the Boer War? and also WWI ?

When do you think the 42nd Foot comes into play ? (They were no longer called the 42nd after 1881.)

Last question - do you have any service numbers for your GGrandfather ?

Many Thanks

Richard

After posting my inquiry here I asked a few relatives about my GGFather and low and behold my 2nd cousin has all John Parry's military records.
I was quite amazed at what he had.

I now know that John's regimental number was 5965 and that he was in the South Africa from 1900 to 1904.

I also found out that he was, indeed, out of the country during the 1911 Census having been posted to Alexandria, Egypt from December of 1909 till September of 1912. At least that mystery is now solved... no chance he'll appear in the census.

I also have another service number - 653321 for the Labour Corps. He was posted to Unit 322 at P.O.W. B.E.F.

I no doubt will have many questions now that I have more documents to go over.
Thanks, Richard, for you interest.

David

Hi David

I have that service number assigned to someone else, Pte T Fountain.

Digging deeper, I think your GGF actually served with the Welsh Regiment, not the RWF.

Richard