Frank William Taylor

Pte F.W. Taylor Worksop Guardian 8 December 1916 Another Worksop’s lads name has been added to the Roll of Honour, in Pte Francis William Taylor, of the Welbeck Rangers troop, as they were known, of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, who was killed in Salonika on October 28th. He was the son of Mr and Mrs. Frank Taylor, of 28, Clinton Street, Worksop, and was 23 years of age. He was a member of the Yeomanry previous to the War, at which time he was employed at Manton Colliery, and had a service altogether, including the war period, of over four years, going up when the Regiment was mobilized. He took part in the Dardanelles Expedition, and thence drafted to Salonika. Beyond the official intimation of his death very little is known as to the circumstances under which it occurred. A comrade, Pte Nelson writes that he was shot through the head and death was instantaneous and his statement is corroborated by Sergt. Goucher, late of Welbeck, and of the same regiment, who states the Taylor was shot through the head, and he helped to bury his dead comrade whom he held in great regard. It is a curious coincidence that the last letter received from him at Salonika was written by him on October 24th, whereas the post mark was October 28th, the day of his death. In the letter he asks them to excuse the short note as they were very busy. The note was couched in cheery terms, and it shows that Pte. Taylor took part in the fight with good heart and brave spirit. He was a smart young man and during his period in the Yeomanry, proved a very good shot. The photograph which we reproduced of him was taken when he had won the Adjutants cup in a shooting competition on the Plain Piece, Worksop. He also won the recruits prize for the best shot in the Regiment. His brother, Pte. Wm. Taylor, age 21, is also in the Sherwood Rangers, and is now in Cairo and a younger brother, Joseph, aged 19, is in the 2/8 Sherwood Foresters and now stationed in Ireland. He took part in the Dublin Rebellion and had a couple of narrow escapes, the top of his cap being cut off, and a bullet passed under his belt, but fortunately did not even scratch him. Mr Taylor Senior is a deputy at Manton Pit, and much sympathy is expressed with him and his wife in their bereavement; their sorrow being consoled in the knowledge that their lad had died a glorious and painless death for his country.

Frank's brother, Joseph Taylor was also killed on the 27th April 1917 in France. CWG additional information:- Son of Frank and Elizabeth Ann Taylor, of 28, Clinton St., Worksop, Notts Buried at Struma Military Cemetery, Greece. Research by Colin Dannatt