TAYLOR, 2048 Sergeant George William DCM MM

2048 Sergeant George William Taylor DCM MM

No 2 Volunteer Service Company 1^st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment

1^st Field Company Australian Engineers AIF

by Robert Simpson

 

 

George William Taylor was born on 18^th May 1876 in Birmingham Warwickshire England and was baptised on 1^st October 1876 at St Alban the Martyr Church Bordesley in Birmingham. He was a son to George William Taylor and Emma Louisa Degnan. George and Emma and been married on 26^th September 1874 at St David Church, Birmingham, with George’s occupation listed as bricklayer. His father James was also listed as a bricklayer. George had been born in 1852 and Emma in 1855, both in Worcestershire. George was their first child and started a tradition where the first son was named George William. In the 1881 census they were living at 30 Dymoke Street in Birmingham. George was still a bricklayer, with George a scholar and also two girls, Florence (born 1878) and Sarah (born 1880). By the 1891 census, they were living at 7 Morley Place in Kings Norton, Birmingham. George was still a bricklayer, and George W, aged 14, was a polisher. Joseph (born 1886), Ellen (born 1889) and Frederick (born 1891) had also been born. In the 1901 England census, they were living at 30 Brasshouse Lane in Smethwick. George was now a building contractor, with Florence, Joseph (a bricklayer apprentice), Ellen, Frederick, Beatrice (born in 1893) and Elsie (born in 1895) living there. Emma passed away on 26^th February 1907 at 106 Dibble Street Smethwick of hepatic cirrhosis. In the 1911 census, George was still a bricklayer and the family was living at 105 Dibble Road Smethwick. Frederick was a bricklayer, Bertha worked in a warehouse and May polished door knobs.

George had married Amy Constance Ward on 25^th December 1896 at St Cuthbert’s Church in Birmingham. Both George and his father were listed as bricklayers. Amy was a confectioner. Both of them lived in different houses in Dugdale Street. Amy’s father, James Andrew Ward was a fitter. They had only one child, George William born on 25^th November 1897 in the back of 11 James St, King’s Norton Birmingham Warwickshire.

On 17^th March 1900, George attested for short service (one year) with the South Staffordshire Regiment and was given the regimental number 7028 as a Private. He stated he had been born in Smethwick and was 22 years (understated his age!). A bricklayer by trade, he had not been an apprentice, had lived out from his father’s house for more than 3 years, was married (originally put no) and was currently serving with the 1^st Volunteer Battalion Staffordshire Regiment. His physical description stated his height was 5 foot 8¼ inches, weight 140 pounds, chest measurement 35 to 36½ inches, and had a fresh complexion with hazel eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England and he had no distinguishing marks. He was examined and passed as fit. He was transferred to the army reserve and was recalled to army service at the depot under special army order 25.1.01 as a Private on 31^st January 1901. He was posted to the 1^st Battalion on 16^th March 1901. The 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to South Africa, arriving as part of the 8^th Division in 1900. The battalion was mostly involved in minor skirmishes with the Boers, but suffered casualties due to disease and poor nutrition. He was discharged on 31^st May 1902 at the depot. His total service reads: Home from 17.3.00 to 15.3.01, South Africa from 16.3.01 to 10.5.02 and Home from 11.5.02 to 31.5.02. George stated his next of kin as his wife Emmie, living at 11 Sabell Road Smethwick and his father William Taylor, living at 30 Brasshouse Lane Smethwick. There are two medal rolls for No 2 Volunteer Service Company 1^st South Staffordshire Regiment. One has 7028 Corporal G H Taylor being entitled to the Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 and 1902 clasps, which were issued on 26^th September 1903. He was not entitled to the Kings South Africa medal. The other roll shows he was entitled to the Queens South Africa medal with Orange Free State and Transvaal clasps, being listed as Private 7082 Taylor G W. The roll was originally written as G H, with the H crossed out for W, and was issued 19^th June 1902. George is on the roll of those of the 1^st Volunteer Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment Volunteers who took part in the South African War. In the roll he was listed as Sergeant G Taylor, served from 11^th April 1901 to 10^th June 1902 and in the marks column it stated he was serving with Vol. Ser. Company, South Staffs. Regt.

A newspaper in Smethwick recorded in 1918 that George “was an old member of the Smethwick Volunteers, and was one of that small company of men who represented ‘the citizen soldiers’ in the South African War.” They also noted he was the first name on the memorial there. This memorial, in the Smethwick library, records the names of the men from Smethwick who served with the 1^st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment during the Second Boer War. The memorial has his service number as 3392.

He was listed in Kelly’s directories of 1906, 7, and 8 as the publican of the Britannia Inn in Saltley. While George was in South Africa, Amy was living as a boarder with George at 12 Sabell Road Smethwick Staffordshire with a Herbert John and Olive Hughes. Herbert was a Police Constable. In the 1911 census the three of them were living in Park Hotel, High St, Smethwick and George was a Licensed Victualler. They also had a domestic living with them. At some stage the marriage must have broken down. George, his son George and brother, Frederick, came to Australia on the Everton Grange, leaving Liverpool on 23^rd June and arriving on 21^st August 1911 in Sydney. A family story records that George’s son “was virtually kidnapped from his mother and taken onto the boat for Australia by his father and uncle.” George’s father, George also came to Australia on the Rangatira, arriving on 10^th September 1912 with his unmarried daughters, and worked at the AGL Mortlake site with his son. Other family members also moved to Australia at various times.

George attested with the AIF on 27^th July 1915 in Sydney as a Sapper with the 10^th Reinforcements 1^st Field Company Engineers with the service number 2048 (1920 was originally written then crossed out). He was a natural born British Subject of 37 2/12 years, born in Birmingham. He was a bricklayer and had been apprenticed to S Mead of Birmingham for 5 years. He was listed as a widower with his son, George William Taylor of 220 Annandale Street NSW as his next of kin. That address was crossed out, with two other addresses written in red and both crossed out also. They were 220 Young St Annandale and C/o H R Morgan Beatrice Street Lidcombe NSW. He had previously served with the 38^th Regiment South Staffordshire in South Africa for 2 years and 76 days. (In the 1881 reforms the 38^th Regiment of Foot was actually merged with other Regiments to form the South Staffordshire Regiment). His description included his age 37 years and 11 months, height 5 foot 8½ inches, weight 165 pounds, chest measurement 36 to 38½ inches, and he had a brown complexion with hazel eyes and black hair. His eyesight was good. His religious denomination was Church of England. George had stated that his will was in the possession of his agent Herbert Morgan of The Boulevarde, Lidcombe, Sydney. He was paid 5 shillings a day. George embarked with the 10^th Reinforcements 1^st Field Company Engineers on HMAT Ballarat A70 from Sydney on 6^th September 1915.

At Zeitoun on 21^st October 1915, George proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and reported for duty at Anzac with the 1^st FCE on 3^rd November 1915. While there, the 1^st FCE was involved in works like digging tunnels and making and upgrading trenches. Drainage of trenches was an issue with the bad weather and all Officers were working on them as well later on in the month. He was evacuated from Gallipoli to Lemnos in mid-December with the withdrawal, embarked on the Caledonian on the 23^rd and disembarked on 27^th December 1915 at Alexandria. Moving to Tel-el-Kebir, they trained and worked on the building of bridges. In February, they moved to Serapeum, where they were involved in various works.

The war diaries for the 1^st Field Company Engineers are online at the AWM- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338972 .

At Alexandria, he proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force on 21^st March 1916, embarking on the Ivernia and disembarking at Marseilles on the 28^th with the 1^st FCE. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 23^rd May 1916 in France. In April, they worked on various engineering works in the Fleurbaix front line trenches and adjacent areas. In June, they were near Neuve Eglise, doing similar works. George was appointed 2^nd Corporal (Temporary) on 25^th July 1916. In July, they moved to the front near Albert. The Battle of the Somme had begun on the 1^st and on 21^st July 1916 they were involved with the Battle of Pozieres, digging trenches, building machine gun strong points and other works.

Second Corporal 2048 George William Taylor of the 1^st Field Company Engineers AIF was recommended for a Military Medal on 28^th September 1917 by C.R.E. 1^st Australian Division. The recommendation read: “In the operations along the MENIN Road, during the period from 2.0.a.m. on July 20^th, to midnight on the same date he was employed in the construction of a strong point in the vicinity of POLYGON Wood and a communication trench to a neighbouring strong point. About 4.30.a.m the position was subjected to heavy hostile shelling. Corporal TAYLOR assisted very considerably to lay out the communication trench before dawn and placed the men, while everybody in the vicinity was sheltering owing to the intensity of the bombardment. About 5p.m the same day the strong point was very heavily shelled for over two hours and Corporal TALYOR again showed great courage digging out and attending casualties and encouraging the men and repeatedly moved along the trench which by this time been very badly damaged.” The recommendation was passed on 5^th October.

The 1^st FCE was relieved on 25^th July and moved back through Albert to Pernois, where they overhauled vehicles and equipment and did training. In mid-August they moved back into the front lines, doing engineering work for a week while the battles of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm raged around them. After pulling out they went to trenches south of Ypres near Hill 60 to work on them.

He was to be a permanent 2^nd Corporal on 25th October 1916. For the rest of 1916, the 1^st FCE moved around doing engineering work in the trenches. Frederick, George’s younger brother, joined him on 17^th December 1916, after transferring from another FCE.

In early 1917, they were working in the trenches and on light train lines which brought supplies to the front lines. After the Germans did a strategic withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, they built a light railway beside the Albert – Bapaume Road and happily used German material and constructions. He was granted 10 days furlough from the Field on 31^st March 1917 and returned to his unit on 19^th April 1917. They ceased railway construction in May and spent the rest of the month in rest, training and leave. In June, they moved to Bray and trained and built pontoon bridges over the Somme River. In late July the 1^st FCE moved north by train to the Ypres Sector. At Bavinchove, they were involved with rear area construction works and training. In August they moved to Vieux Berquin and spent the month in rest, training, light construction and assisting local farmers with farm-work. The 3rd Battle of Ypres had begun in July and on 8^th August the 1^st FCE moved to just outside Ypres, where they worked on gun positions and trenches and moved closer to the front. He was wounded in action and remained at duty on 19^th September 1917 while in Belgium. At night on 20^th September, they moved into the trenches at the front during the Menin Road Battle, repairing and building of front line and communication trenches. On 21^st September, he was promoted to Corporal.

George was awarded the Military Medal in 1917 and it was promulgated in the London Gazette of 17th December 1917 on page 13200 at position 57. His citation read- “In the operations along Menin Road, during the period from 2am on September 20^th to midnight on the same date he was employed on the construction of a strong point in the vicinity of Polygon Wood and a communication trench to a neighbouring strong point. About 4.30am the position was subjected to heavy hostile shelling Corporal Taylor assisted very considerably to lay out the communication trench before dawn and placed the men, while everybody in the vicinity was sheltering owing to the intensity of the bombardment. About 3pm the same day the strong point was very heavily shelled for over two hours and Corporal Taylor again showed great courage digging out and attending casualties and encouraging men and repeatedly moved along the trench which had by this time been very badly damaged.”

The next day, they went back to support areas and were involved in works on roads, duckboard tracks, and dug outs. The 1^st FCE was involved in the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge which commenced on 4^th October, following the infantry and building strong points and communication trenches, using some infantry as labourers.

On 7^th October 1917, Corporal Taylor was recommended for a Distinguished Conduct Medal by C.R.E. 1^st Division. The recommendation read: “On the morning of 4^th October 1917, during the operations east of YPRES, Corporal TAYLOR went out with his section to construct a strong point south east of MOLENAARELSTHOEK. He assisted his section officer in the marking out of the work and commenced under very heavy shell fire, rendering very valuable assistance. Soon after 10.a.m. when the section officer was wounded, TAYLOR sent him back to the dressing station and carried on with the construction of the strong point. The work was very heavily shelled throughout the day but he was able to keep his section under perfect control and by 7.p.m. had completed his work and handed over to the Infantry a well dug strong point. Frequently during the day he sent back reports as to the progress he was making and had it not been for his splendid behaviour and initiative this splendid obstacle to the enemy could not have possibly been completed and made fit to hold a garrison so early.”

By 9^th October, they had pulled back to Ypres. Frederick had been wounded in this time with a shell wound to the thigh and had been sent back to England.

His son, George, was sent a letter by base Records on 13^th October 1917, advising him that Corporal G W Taylor had been wounded slightly and was remaining at duty. It was sent to George at 220 Young Street Annandale.

On 21^st October 1917, he had leave to Paris and returned on the 27^th. For the rest of the year, the 1^st FCE moved around and was involved in similar work and training.

The citation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal reads: “TAYLOR G. W. Cpl. 2048 For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when working on the construction of a strong point under heavy fire. He took charge when his officer was wounded, and, keeping his men under perfect control, completed the work. He showed great initiative and fearlessness. 6.2.18” It was promulgated in the London Gazette of 6^th February 1918 on page 1752 at position 5.

George was transferred to the Engineers Training Depot in England and borne supernumerary to the establishment on 29^th December 1917. He marched into the Depot at Brightlingsea from France on 31^st December 1917, where he was involved in all aspects of engineering works in the field.

Base Records sent George a letter on 13^th March 1918, advising him that his father had awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the field and it had been promulgated in the Fifth Supplement No 30389 to the London Gazette of 16^th November 1917. They also advised him a statement of services rendered would be published when practicable. They sent him a letter on 9^th July 1918 with an extract from the Second Supplement No 30512 to the London Gazette of 5^th February 1918 which read: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when working on the construction of a strong point under heavy fire. He took charge when his officer was wounded, and, keeping his men under perfect control, completed the work. He showed great initiative and fearlessness.” An entry in his service records recorded that it was for operations on 4^th October 1917.

On 11^th March 1918, he was appointed as Acting Sergeant, and then reverted to Corporal until 9^th July 1918, when he was promoted to Sergeant while in England. His character was recorded as good. George sent his son a letter from Brightlingsea on 24^th March 1918, to let him know he was fine. He discussed about the town and how he was getting into the training. He also mentioned about the after effects of being gassed earlier and how he wheezed and coughed all night for a few weeks while trying to sleep. He discussed about London being bombed and the German offensive. George had received a letter from Fred telling him he was “doing alright and is safe from France for sometime yet”. He pointed out how nice the countryside was at that time of the year and mentioned about his medals.

George was sent a letter from Base Records on 29^th May 1918, letting him know that 2048 Corporal G W Taylor had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. An entry in his service records stated that it was for operations on 21^st September 1917.
The East Essex Advertiser and Clacton News of 8^th June 1918 and an article about a ceremony at Brightlingsea where ten NCO Australian Engineers were presented military decorations by Major-General the Honourable Sir J W McKay KCMG CB VD, who was the General Officer Commanding AIF Depots in the UK. Corporal (Acting Sergeant) G W Taylor 1^st FCE was awarded the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal. The Deputy of the Cinque Port Liberty also gave a stirring speech which included “that the men on parade had come from the uttermost parts of the earth to uphold the principles of freedom and justice, and most of them had made great personal sacrifice for this purpose.” The Engineer Training Depot produced a magazine called “The Digger”. In the 15^th June 1918 edition was an article about General McKay’s visit and presentation of medals, which included George’s two medals and included a description of what they were awarded for.

George being awarded medals

George left the Depot and arrived back in France on 1^st August 1918. He re-joined his unit on the 5^th at Racquinghem and on 9^th August moved to Villers-Bretonneux.

On 1^st August 1918, he proceeded from Southampton to France and at Havre, he was marched in ex Reinforcements on the 2^nd. He was sent to his unit the next day, arriving there and re-joining the 1^st FCE on 5^th August. On 12^th August he was wounded in action. On the same day he was admitted to the 3^rd Field Ambulance with a shell wound to the head and chest and a fractured leg and he was transferred to Casualty Clearing Station on the same day. He was admitted to the 7^th Field Ambulance on the 13^th and was transferred to A. T. 10 on the 16^th. He was admitted to the 3^rd General Hospital on 17^th August 1918 with what is recorded in his service records as “GSW right thigh, Leg fracture, GSW Head, Chest right”, and another entry also included “GSW Right Arm”.

The war diary of the 1^st Field Company Engineers on 12^th August 1918 records: “at about 5pm enemy shell burst near Sergeant’s mess causing 4 casualties, one of whom Sgt. G W TAYLOR DCM, MM has since died of wounds.” They were billeted at Harbonnieres as they were working on the line near there. George had been sitting on the doorstep of the house he was billeted in, talking to Sergeant Pasfield, when the shell hit the road, wrecking the billet and wounding both of them.

George died on 19^th August 1918. He is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery at Le Treport France in plot VII. A.3B. Le Treport is a small seaport 25 kilometres north-east of Dieppe. During WW1, Le Treport was an important hospital centre. The Cemetery is 1.5 kilometres south of the town.

Pictures of his original grave above and of Mont Huon Military Cemetery.

A Red Cross Society report on George noted he was admitted to the 3^rd General Hospital – leg and fractured thigh- and died of wounds 19^th August 1918. Sergeant 320 F Wicks said he “was with me at Harbonnieres about 13/14 August 1918 when he was wounded by a shell. I was beside and helped to dress his wounds. He was taken back to a Dressing Station, and about three weeks or a month later we heard he had died. He was first take to a small Ambulance in Harbonnieres, but we did not hear where he died or where he was buried.” The Officer in Charge of the 3^rd General Hospital said he had been admitted to the hospital from 55 Casualty Clearing Station on 16^th August “suffering from G.S.W. Leg Lt. Thigh Rt. Head Chest and Arm Rt. He was very ill on admission, extremely anaemic and weak, no progress was made and patient died at 11.35 p.m. on 19.9.18. He was buried at Mount Huon Cemetery near Le Treport, by the Rev. W Tod”. Sapper 92 W Fahey said that “the Company was working on the line near Harbonnieres and was billeted in that village. Taylor was sitting outside of his billet when a shell came over and hit 3 men including Taylor and Sergeant Passfield.” The shell landed about 100 yards away. “He went over to Taylor and helped to bandage him up. He was conscious and said that he felt bad, but thought that he would get alright. The ambulance was sent for and Taylor was taken away at once…”. Another Engineer said “everybody liked Taylor, who was “one of the finest soldiers going””. Company-Sergeant Major 158 J Johnson said that he was also knocked down by the same shell, and George said to him after being dressed that he was all right. He believed his brother was with him when he died. Another Engineer said: “He was too bad to be sent to England so his brother was sent for from England, and was with him when he died.” He added “he knew Taylor well, and he was a well liked chap”. The Red Cross Society had been asked by his relatives in Australia about full details on his wounding, death and burial.

Previously he had been unofficially missing in 1916. An investigation had been started from an enquiry from his aunt. Reports from the Red Cross investigation of this are intermingled with their enquiry in 1918, after his death. Sapper 6334 R Draper of the 1^st Field Company Engineers stated he had been with George in France sometime in October last. He gave a description of “about 5’ 9” high, dark brown hair and moustache, well built man, about 35 to 40 years old.” Another engineer who was in hospital added that “at Fricourt a month ago, George Taylor was alive. “He is a fat chap from England”.” Other soldiers in the Engineers said they had seen him. Once commented “he was all right” and he may have “suffered from gas or shell shock or something” earlier.

On 15^th August 1918, Fred wrote to his nephew George about his father’s death, saying that “your Dad and I had a good talk over things before he went back”. They wanted to keep him at the Depot, but he was told to go back to his company until he got his commission and would return to England for training. He was “well liked by everyone”. Fred was told to go to France as soon as possible, so he went to London, then Folkestone and to France and on to Le Treport. As he arrived, a Sister came out and told him that George would not survive the night. Fred was able to talk to him, but George was unable to reply as he was breathing very hard. George passed away at 11.17, and Fred had only got there at 11. The next day Fred went to see the Doctors to thank them for their care. The Doctor discussed how he had to remove the left leg, just above the knee and he had slight wounds all over. The main problem was a wound “in the Pit of the Stomach” that was causing him pain and necessitated an operation on the day Fred arrived. He saw George in the coffin and being buried and talked more of George being wounded and getting there. Fred sent him postcards of the hospital and cemetery.

George wrote to Base records on 16^th September 1918, giving his address as 220 Young Street Annandale and asking for copies of his death and also if his DCM and MM were available. George stated he was “the only son and child of the abovenamed deceased who died of wounds received in action on the 19^th August last, and am also the sole Executor and legatee under his Will.” Their reply stated the death certificate had not been received from overseas, and neither had the medals, but they would act promptly when they were. He also wrote another letter on 17^th October to them asking for the certificates as he had enlisted for active service and wished to sort his father’s affairs before he left.

On 14^th February 1919, Base Record sent George a reply to the letter he had sent them requesting 2 copies of the Military Certificate of death, and the copies of the certificate of the death of his father which stated “Wounds received in action” at 3^rd General Hospital.

His son, George, wrote to Base Records on 26^th May 1919, returning the receipt of the personal effects for “the late No.2048 Sergeant G.W.Taylor, D.C.M., M.M., 1^st Fld. Company Engineers” that had been sent to him in a package after arriving in Australia on the Gaika. He also asked “when I may receive my father’s Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal”. Their reply on 2^nd June advised George that the medals had “not yet been received at this office”. They said that as medals were coming in with every mail, they would notify him as soon as they were received. The sealed parcel contained the effects received from the front on 12^th October 1918 and contained 2 knives, 1 gold ring, 1 whistle, and 1 discharge certificate. George gave his address as 220 Young Street Annandale. Base Records also sent George a letter on 26^th May, letting him know they were “now in receipt of advice which shows that he was wounded in action in France on 12^th August, 1918, admitted to the 3^rd Field Ambulance, and transferred to the 7^th Field Ambulance, where he was admitted on the following day. On 16/8/18 he was transferred to Ambulance Train 10, and admitted to the 3^rd General Hospital, Le Treport, France, where he died on the 19^th idem as the result of his wounds (shell wound head, chest and leg). He was buried in Mont Huon Cemetery, Le Treport, France.” They also advised that photos of the grave would be coming soon. Also in May 1919, the District Pay Office in the 2^nd Military District sent Base records a card, stating they had received the probate of George and were attending to it. On 9^th May, Base Records had sent them the probate for the will of George and asked for them to return it to his son at the above recorded address. Base Records had written him a letter on 26^th April, asking him if he had received probate of his father’s will so that the financial affairs and a parcel “may be dealt with according to his testamentary instructions”. They also sent an extract of a letter that George had sent them for their “attention and reply to the writer direct.” The letter had asked “if you will kindly expedite completion of the matter, and give the necessary instructions to the Paymaster at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, so that I may obtain payment of any moneys due to my father.” George had sent a letter and probate record to Base Records on 1^st May 1919. The will had made George sole legatee and executor. Probate to the will was done on 13^th March 1919 of 283 pounds, to George at Annandale.

The pamphlet “Where The Australians Rest” was sent to George on 2^nd September 1921. The memorial Scroll was sent on 9^th September 1921 and the Memorial Plaque was sent on 16^th November 1922. His British War Medal was sent on 26^th August 1921 and the Victory Medal on 17^th January 1923. With his 1914-15 Star, it was issued, but no date was recorded.

A form, acknowledging the receipt of 3 photos of the grave of George was sent back to Base Records on 18^th February 1923, but unsigned. His son signed for the Memorial Plaque on 5^th September 1923. George filled out the form for the Roll of Honour of Australia in the Memorial War Museum at some stage and filled out all of his father’s details, including that he was 40 when he died and his calling was a bricklayer. He gave his address as View Street Earlwood NSW.

With his family-

His father George lived in Annandale, had a job as a foreman at Queanbeyan and then bought three blocks of land at Lidcombe. He died on 28^th December 1931, of apparently a self-inflicted wound at his residence Packwood, 19 The Boulevarde Lidcombe. An inquest on 15^th January 1932 at Parramatta showed his age was 79 and he died of a wound to the throat, self-inflicted while temporarily of unsound mind. He had possessions of £1,600. His death certificate indicated he had 7 children living and 3 males deceased. George was buried in the Anglican section of Rockwood Cemetery in Grave S64.

Amy died in September quarter of 1962 at Romsey, Hampshire, England according to another family tree. No documentation can be found to support that, or if she re-married.

His sister Florence (Floss) Emily Louise was with the family in the 1901 census, but no occupation was listed. In 1904 she married Clement Frederick Wilson. In the 1911 census, they were living at 30 Kimberley Road Chesterton and he was a tailor’s cutter. They had 3 children. Clement died in early 1912 in Chesterton. Florence and the children departed England for Australia on the Orama on 30^th January 1914. The Red Cross Society sent her a letter in February 1919, enclosing two statements about George’s death. She had stated her address as “Packwood” Boulevard Lidcombe. She married Harold Ainsworth Runcorn (1887-1936) in 1919 and lived in Flemington, where he was a monumental mason. She died on 11^th January 1966 in Sydney and is buried in the grave next to her father.

Sarah Evan Taylor left England in 1912 with her father. She had been the housekeeper after her mother’s death, according to the 1911 census. Family records indicate she died in Helensburgh NSW on 23^rd August 1962. She is buried with her father.

Joseph James Taylor migrated to Australia in 1908 and married Florence Medlam in 1909. Apparently when they married, she turned up in her finery and he in his work clothes, for which she continually reminded him. He was a bricklayer and they lived in Bankstown. Joseph died on 18^th December 1951 in Bankstown. A son, Joseph George Taylor served in the RAN in WW2 as S/10165 A/ERA IV.

Ellen (Nell) Taylor was in the 1911 census, where she was still living with the family and was a press worker. A family record has listed beside her name, Victor Coates, who was her husband. The NSW BDM has an entry for an Ellen Taylor marrying a William Worthy Victor Coates in 1915. A newspaper article shows her visiting her old work in Smethwick in the early 1950’s. There is a record in NSW BDM of an Ellen Coates aged 88 dying in 1977 in Lidcombe, but no parents are recorded.

Frederick Walter Taylor enlisted in WW1 as 7381 Sapper in 5^th Reinforcements of 7^th Field Company Engineers on 5^th January 1916 in Sydney. He was 25 years old, 6 foot tall, weighed 182 pounds and had a dark complexion with brown eyes and dark hair. His occupation was bricklayer. After going to France, he was transferred to the 1^st Field Company in December 1916, joining up with George. He was wounded in action in October 1917 with a gunshot wound to the thigh (a family record says buttock, which affected his leg, and he was also gassed) and was sent to England. On 10^th May 1918, he was marched in to Brightlingsea. Frederick returned to France and re-joined his unit in September 1918 and was appointed Lance Corporal in October. He returned to Australia in June 1919 and was discharged. Frederick was entitled to the British War and Victory medals. He died on 20^th February 1950.

Beatrice (her actual name was Bertha) Taylor came to Australia in 1912, with May and Nellie, arriving in Sydney on 10^th September 1912 on Rangatira. In 1915, she married William John Brown. In the 1930’s they lived in Bankstown and he was a carrier. William died in 1943. Bertha married Arthur Ernest Roberts in 1946 and she died in 1971 according to family records.

Elsie May (Elizabeth May as on her birth record) Taylor; not much is known about her after coming to Australia, except a note for a marriage in 1921 to Cecil Mansfield (1891-1956) and she died in 1965 according to family records. She was known as May.

After moving to Australia with his father, George married Beatrice Providence Flegg on 27^th November 1915 in Annandale NSW, in the Hunter Baillie Presbyterian Church. Beatrice had been born on 8^th August 1895 in Annandale and it seems her mother, Sarah, passed away 3 days after her birth, on 11^th August 1895. From Evening News on 11^th August 1896 on page 4: “FLEGG. — In fond love and remembrance of my dearly beloved wife, Sarah Jane Flegg, who died August 11, 1895, aged 32. Inserted by her loving husband, Charles Flegg.” She lived with her father Charles until she was adopted by her uncle and aunt Edwin Frederick and Mary Martha Flegg. As George was only 17, consent by a Guardian of Minors had to be given in writing.

A recent picture of 218 and 220 Young Street Annandale, homes of the Flegg and Taylor families.

George enlisted on 15^th October 1918 at Glebe NSW, stating he had been born in Birmingham England, although he stated his date to be 25^th November 1898. He gave his occupation as motor driving and mechanical engineer. Beatrice was his next of kin, living at 220 Young Street Annandale. His previous military service was Citizen Force AMC. His description included his age of 20 years and 11 months, he had a ruddy complexion with blue eyes and auburn hair. He had a chest measurement 39 inches with a range of expansion at 3½ inches and his physical development was good. His religious denomination was Church of England. George was discharged NCU and was given a discharge certificate. For some reason, two pages from another George William Taylor, born in 1889 and applying for a Commission in the Remount Unit in 1915 are in his records. In the 1931 electoral roll, the Taylors were living at Le Treport View Street, Earlwood and he was a motor-driver and Beatrice doing home duties. They were also there in the 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937 (where the address had changed to 13 View Street), 1943, 1949, 1954, 1958, 1963 and 1968 rolls. George was a motor-driver in all of the rolls. He passed away on 8^th December 1971 and his ashes are interred at Northern Suburbs Crematorium in Macquarie Park, New South Wales. In 1953, Beatrice travelled to England with her two aunts, Bertha Roberts and Ellen Coates, staying at 73 Gilberts Road Smethwick. While there, they toured the place where Ellen used to work. Beatrice left London on the Strathmore on 6^th August 1953 to return to Australia. She only outlived George by a year, passing away on 27^th April 1972 in Kogarah. Their first son George William Taylor, is the subject of another story. In all, they had five children.

The AGL Gasworks War Memorial is located at Breakfast Point in Sydney, NSW. It was unveiled by the Governor of NSW in 1926. The Memorial lists the names of those employees of the Australian Gaslight Company who perished in World War One. It is now called the Breakfast Point War Memorial.

George is also commemorated on the Annandale War Memorial, the former Annandale Council Roll of Honour in the Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, and the Lidcombe War Memorial, Wellington Park.

His full medal entitlement is DCM, MM, Queens South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and 1902; 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.

The museum received the group as DCM, MM, Queens South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal; Kings South Africa medal with clasps South Africa 1901 and 1902, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals; with the Kings South Africa medal done as a renamed medal in script lettering and research reveals that he was not entitled to it. The last medal is engraved on the reverse: “A Tribute from THE CITIZENS OF LIDCOMBE to The Memory of SGT. G.W. TAYLER D.C.M. M.M . KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE 1918” and is sterling silver. (Note the error in the spelling of his surname).

ANZAC Biographies

On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women

whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection on display at the

Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,

Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.