William Taylor
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born in 1882 at Retford the son of James a bricklayer's labourer and Martha Taylor and the brother of Henry, Robert, Emma, Gertrude and Charles Taylor. He was the husband of Mary Taylor and the father of Mary (b.1898), Kate (b.1900) and Nellie Gertrude Taylor who was born in 1903. In 1911 they lived at 7a East Street Retford.
At the outbreak of the war William was a reservist and was recalled to his regiment in Lincoln on the August bank holiday 1914. He landedin France 13th September 1914. He was killed in action at Kemmel. Menin Gate Panel 21
Pte William Taylor Retford Times 18 Dec 1914 Another Retford man has been killed in action in the person of Pte William Taylor of the 1st Lincolns, whose photo we give above. He was a reservist and was recalled to his regiment on August Bank Holiday. He was a bricklayers labourer and was well known in the town. He leaves a widow who lives at 41 St John Street and two children and much sympathy is felt for them in their bereavement. The last time she heard from her husband was on Oct 26th. He said he was getting on alright and stated that the Lincolns had been christened the gun pinchers. Mrs Taylor received information on Friday from the War Office that her husband was killed on November 1st. There is a brother of the deceased’s also in the 1st Lincolns, Lance Corpl Taylor, 6 West Street. Writing on December 1st to Mr F Skelton, Red Lion, Carolgate, he acknowledges packets of smokes sent him by friends and said he would like to spend Christmas at Retford. “I am trusting to my luck. I am quite well at present. Remember me to all the boys.” Lance Corpl Taylor mentions the death of his brother but does not give any particulars. Another brother, Thomas Taylor, joined the Notts and Derbys Regiment some weeks ago and is now and is now undergoing training at Newcastle on Tyne.
