Joseph Taylor
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Joseph Taylor was the third child of Frank and Elizabeth Taylor, He was born in 1898 at Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts whilst the family were moving around the country presumably looking for work. They eventually settled in Worksop around 1900 residing at 21 Low Town Street. The parents completed their family of 7 children over the next few years and moved to 28 Clinton Street. Joseph, like his father and elder brothers, worked in the local Manton pit.
Pte. Joseph Taylor Worksop Guardian 8 June 1917 Worksop’s roll of Honour has again been augmented by the death, killed in action, of Pte. Joseph Taylor of the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr and Mrs Frank Taylor, of 26, Clinton Street, Worksop. The news was conveyed in a letter to his parents from Lanc-Sergt. J Gabbitas, who writes the following:- “Dear Mrs Taylor,-I expect you will have heard with regret of the death of your son, Joe, killed in action on the 27th of April, but I thought you would like to know how he met his death. It was in the early hours of April 27th, when we made an attack on the German trenches. We had reached our objective, and consolidating the trenches we had taken from the Germans, when a message was sent up the trench for the bombers to clear out the Germans that was in the trench on our left. Your son, being in the Bombing section, at once obeyed the order, and there was a place in the trench that he had to get out on the parapet, and he had just got out and was going to report to his sergeant when he was shot through the head by a sniper. He fell by my side and died instantly. I can assure you he suffered no pain. I am very sorry to lose him, as he was a good and reliable soldier, and will be greatly missed. I can’t tell you exactly where he is buried, but if it is in my luck to get home, I will tell you all, as I know you all very well, and no doubt, you will know me, so if there is anything you would like to know concerning your son, I shall be very pleased to do it for you, if you only let me know. You have my deepest sympathy in your bereavement. May God comfort you and give him rest,-I remain yours sincerely, 306700, Lance-Corpl. T. Gabbitas.” Pte Taylor, who was only 19 years of age, enlisted in October, 1914, but was only drafted to France in February last. Previous to enlistment, he worked down Manton pit, and was well liked and respected, and much regret is expressed at so young and gallant life being lost. Mr and Mrs Taylor have three sons in the army. The eldest son, Frank Taylor, was killed in Salonika on October 28th last, and another, William Taylor, is still in Salonika. Both are in the Sherwood Rangers
CWG additional information:- Son of Frank and Elizabeth Ann Taylor, of 28, Clinton St., Worksop, Notts. His brother Frank was also killed in the war. Buried at Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
