Viewing Army Records pre 1914

[Anna]

I have great grandfather's number and attestation date. How can I view his records? I had no trouble getting a grandfather's records (as he was Army Pensioner and served WW1) via Ancestry but have no idea how to access g.grandfather's as he was pre-1914

His details are: William Nicholls, b.1863 Monkleigh, Bideford, Devon. Attestation 5 July 1884, Army Hospital Corps. Soldier No. 6030. I know he was at Bury St. Edmunds Barracks in 1887 as that is on his daughter's birth cert and in 1901 he was a reserve in the Welsh Regiment so he obviously didn't see any active service.

His Army details were given to me a long time ago from elderly relative who is no longer with us. Any help would be much appreciated as to where I can view online.

[olliecat]

William Nicholls, b.1863 Monkleigh, Bideford, Devon. Attestation 5 July 1884, Army Hospital Corps. Soldier No. 6030.
...
Any help would be much appreciated as to where I can view online.

If you a look on the pay/subscription site findmypast, you will find military records for him. There appears to be two sets of records, but I haven't looked to see why (maybe after a cuppa.)

www.
findmypast.co.uk

TNA Ref: WO97 / 3556 / 96
TNA Ref: WO97 / 5593 / 148

[Peter Goodey]

You may like to bookmark the following page which will help you to find the answer to many similar questions -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/r...%5Cdefault.htm

There is a live link to the series of records that you want.

[Anna]

Thanks olliecat, looks like I'll have to stump up £7 to view, assuming it's my William.
Peter, I find TNA so totally user unfriendly even in just trying to find the search pages, and it brings up hundreds of names and I cannot afford to view them all @ £2 a go, unless I'm doing it wrong

[geneius]

Te second number quoted by olliecat TNA Ref: WO97 / 5593 / 148 has 8 images your ancestor was a Cook / Chef whilst in the Army, his original calling was that of a Furniture remover, it does give brief details of his marriage and of his mother who was his original stated next of kin.