TAYLOR, T E / Thomas Edward

Conflict Commemorated:WWI

Last Name:TAYLOR

First Name:T E / Thomas Edward

Birthplace:Brigg

Residence:Brigg

Rank:Private

Service Number:8197

Regiment/ Service:Border Regiment

Unit:Second Bn.

Date of Death:24/10/1914

Cause of Death:Killed in action

Place of Burial/ Commemoration:ZANTVOORDE BRITISH CEMETERY West-Vlaanderen

Country:Belgium

Panel/ Bay/ Grave:6. E. 9.

UK Memorials:Brigg

Next of Kin:Alfred & Elizabeth Taylor (born 1864) of 12 Ancholme Street, Brigg, Lincolnshire

Biographical Notes:Thomas was the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Taylor born in the last quarter of 1887 and baptised on 14 Dec 1887.In 1901 he was living with just his mother who was working as a charwoman. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment in York on 17 January 1906, describing his trade as a tailor. In 1911 he was living in the Mandora Barracks, Aldershot, Hampshire. He served in Gibraltar in 1906 (where he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion), Pretoria-South Africa in 1907 and then back in England where it is fair to say he had an interesting disciplinary record being on report several times for insubordination (on one occasion being imprisoned for 28 days). However, his military conduct was described by his commanding officer as 'very good' immediately before he embarked for France on 5 October 1914. Within three weeks, the battalion, as part of 20 Brigade/7 Division, were in the trenches at Kruiseik Hill, Ypres. There they were subject to small attacks by the enemy, sniper fire and sporadic heavy bombardment. Thomas lost life during that period. He was posted as missing and nothing more was heard of him. Both his mother and sister wrote several times to the authorities asking for updates until they were finally told in July 1916 that for official purposes he was assumed killed on 24 October 1914 (a report being received from an eye witness) . After 8 years as a regular soldier he had survived just 3 weeks in the War. His body was finally found on 14 May 1920, identified by his disc, and was exhumed and moved to a War Cemetry. His mother was finally informed on 9 August 1921. Medals: British,Victory, 14 Star

Researcher:Sir John Nelthorpe School History Team;PJ & JM Sweetman

Notes:Thomas is remembered on Men of Brigg; Brigg St John Triptych; British Legion Brigg Branch Roll of Honour. memorials

Sources Used:1901 Census, Free BMD (Birth), England, Select Births & Christenings, Service record, SDGW, UK Army Register of Soldiers Effects 1901-1929, War Diary