Edwin Taylor
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Edwin James Taylor was the son of Arthur Taylor and Eliza Ann Meakin who married at Nottingham in 1880. Their children included: William Arthur (b.1880), Edwin James (b.1882), John Henry (b.1883), Benjamin (b.1886/d.1891), Lizzie (b.1888), Percy (b.1890), Arthur (b.1892) and Susie (b.1896). The Taylor family lived at: 12 Ronald Street, Radford [C.1881]; 61 Palin Street, Radford [C.1891]; 294 Alfreton Road, Hyson Green [C.1901]; 46 Maples Street, Hyson Green [C.1911]. Arthur Taylor who worked as a lacemaker, died at Nottingham, aged 43, in 1901. His widow, Eliza Ann, probably died at Nottingham, aged 70, in 1931. In 1904 Edwin James Taylor married Maggie Mary Cass at Nottingham. In 1911 the couple were living at 3 Beckenham Road, Radford. Their children included: Arthur Edward (b.1905), John Henry (b.1907), Edwin James (b.1909), Maggie M. (b.1914) and Susan (b.1916). The post-war address for Maggie Mary Taylor given in the CWGC records was 34 Osborne St., Radford. His widow never remarried. At the time of her death in September 1966 Maggie Mary Taylor was living at 30 Woodhall Road, Wollaton, Nottingham. She was 81.
HMT Leasowe Castle torpedoed 27 May 1918 approx 100 miles from Alexandria, part of convoy of 6 transport ships and escorts taking troops from Egypt to Italy. SNH lost 5 officers/44 other ranks. Edwin's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial This account is from a local resident posted on the Woodborough village website. The Hussars had been fighting in the Middle East and they were returning to France where they were to be re-formed as a machine gun company. Their new title was to be the South Notts Machine Gun Battalion. They were sent to Alexandria, Egypt and had received orders to embark on a transporter ship called the "Leasowe Castle" on 23th May 1918 ¹. On 27th May, the ship was struck by a torpedo with devastating results. A very detailed account of the fateful journey may be read in the historical records of the South Notts Hussars Yeomanry by G. Fellows. The "Leasowe Castle" was one of a convoy of six transporters and they were accompanied by a number of destroyers. The weather was good, the sea was calm and a brilliant moon shone in the night sky. At 1.30 am on May 27th 1918 when the ship was about 104 miles from Alexandria, the "Leasowe Castle" was struck by a torpedo on the starboard side. The engines were immediately stopped. The troops mustered to their stations, rolls were called, boats lowered and rafts flung overboard. The Japanese destroyer "R" stood by, while the remainder of the convoy continued on their journey at full speed. We are informed that perfect order was maintained on board, the men standing quietly at their stations as if on parade, while those detailed for the work assisted in lowering the boats. Lifeboats were launched in the course of forty five minutes and the rescue attempt continued smoothly. The "Leasowe Castle" remained fairly steady, though sinking a little at the stern, with a slight list to port. All of 'B' (Warwickshire Yeomanry) Company of the Battalion went over the port side and were picked up in the water. About 1.45am. HM sloop "Lily" appeared having turned back from the convoy to assist in the work of rescue. She ran her bows up to the starboard side of the "Leasowe Castle" and made fast, so that troops were able to pass quickly on board. Meanwhile the Japanese destroyer put up a smoke screen for protection. Suddenly about 3.00am a bulkhead in the aft part of the ship gave way, and with a loud noise the "Leasowe Castle" sank rapidly. The "Lily" had a narrow escape, as the hawsers connecting her with the sinking ship were cut with an axe just in time.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 6 February 1919: ‘Taylor. Missing May 27th, 1918, now officially reported drowned, Pte Edwin Taylor, 1/1 South Notts. Hussars. Ever in our thoughts. From his sorrowing father, mother, sister Mabel, brothers Claude in Belgium, Stanley in Palestine.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 10 February 1919. 'TAYLOR missing drowned May 27th 1918, Private Edwin Taylor, 1st/1st South Notts Hussars, wife and daughter.'
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