Help with Army lists

Good Morning all
If anyone has Army List Books available could I please request a look up for
William Cairns who served in the Royal Artillery.
According to 1851 Census he was born in Aberdeen
I have very little information on this mans Military Career, except what I
have gathered from the following events in his life:

1840 - 1842 2 Children born and died in Malta - William listed on
Certificate as Corporal
1843 Son born Malta - William listed as 'Serjeant'
1845 Son born Woolwich Arsenal - William listed as Comp
'Serjeant'
1850 Daughter born Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich William
listed as Sergeant Major
1851 Census listed as Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich -
Sergeant Major
1856 Son born Woolwich - birth not found
1860 Daughter born Gibraltar - birth not found
1861 Census - Not found
1865 Son born Plymouth - birth not found
1867 William Cairns died at Woolwich - listed on Cert as
retired Captain.

Forrest Anderson...

As Hugh says, the Army List is mainly for commissioned officers, (who
may or may not have purchased their commissions), so don't expect
much, if anything, from that source with regard to his service in the
ranks.

Any help to trace this man's Military Career, would be greatly appreciated
as I have never had reason to research a Military matter before.

Hugh Watkins...

the army list is about commissioned officers
(at this period they purchased their rank and lived off private means)

William Cairns has a typical caree as an NCO
(non commissioned officer)

he may at the end have been commissioned as a quartermaster for example
but 50 years ago that was usually as a major.

you don't give his date and place of birth
which the ferrets need for advanced census search

He may have entered as a boy soldeir as young as 10 to 14 years
you need to read some history books to learn the lingo of the Royal
Artillery - eg gunners or drivers never private soldiers

Hugh W