John William Taylor
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John was born in Blackwell in 1886 and was the son of Charles Mary Jane Ward Taylor (née Ball). His father Charles was born in 1847 in Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire, and his mother Mary Jane Ward was born in 1857 in Blackwell, Derbyshire. Their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield Registratkion district in September 1881. They had two sons, George b1882 and John William b1886, who were both born in Blackwell. His father Charles died at the age of 44 yrs in 1891 (Mansfield registration district); his youngest son John was only 5 yrs of age. In the 1901 census George and John were living at Newton, Blackwell, with their widowed mother Mary J W Taylor 44 yrs. George 19 yrs was a drapers assistant and John 15 yrs a domestic servant. By the 1911 census his mother Mary Jane Ward Taylor 54 yrs was living with her widowed sister Lucy Ward Ball 50 yrs at Cambridge Villas, Blackwell Road, Huthwaite, whilst her son John William Taylor, a coal miner, was a visitor at the home of Frederick Vardy, a coal miner, and his family at 5 New Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire. The later CWGC record gives his mother's address as 119 Blackwell Road, Huthwaite, Mansfield.
George enlisted in March 1915 at Sutton in Ashfield, giving Blackwell as his place of birth and Huthwaite as his place of residence. He first served with the service number 38549 in the Northumberland Fusiliers Regiment but later transferred to A Company 1/4th Hallamshires Battalion, Yorks and Lancashire Regiment. It was while out on a trench raid on 12 June 1917 that John William received a fatal shrapnel wound. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
Notts Free Press – 24th March, 1916: 'A farewell tea for J.W. Taylor who left on Monday to join the forces. He was leader of the Young Mens Bible Class and there were 40 members of the class present together with 20 members of the Girl’s Guild. Both the class and guild subscribed to a smokers set for him which included a silver matchbox. cigarette case and cigarettes. T. Goodall was to act in his absence.' Notts Free Press – 6th. July, 1917: 'LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED - PRIVATE J.W. TAYLOR. 'One of the most popular and respected young men in Huthwaite to fall in the war is Private John Wm. Taylor, A Company, 1/4th Yorks. and Lancs., who lived before joining the army at Cambridge Villa, Blackwell Road, Huthwaite, along with his widowed mother, who is a chronic invalid. Private Taylor is a native of Blackwell and has spent nearly all of his working career in the local shops of Messrs Hunters, being at their South Normanton branch when he joined up (in March of last year) in the Northumberland Fusiliers, and was afterwards transferred to the regiment mentioned. He was 31 years of age, and at Huthwaite took a keen interest in Parish Church work, being a sidesman and leader of the Men’s Bible Class. He had been just a year in France, the official notice being dated June 27th, 1917. A letter from his Captain states that he was killed instantaneously by shrapnel, and sends the sympathy of the officers and men as follows:- “It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Private J.W. Taylor. He was killed instantaneously by shrapnel and suffered no pain. His officer was wounded at the same time, and he told me how bravely your son had carried out his duties that night during a raid which was made on the German trenches. He was a fine soldier and very popular with everyone in the Company. All the officers and men of the Company join with me in expressing the deepest sympathy for you in your great loss – Edward M. Holmes, Captain” 'His other brother (who is married) is in the R.F.C., and is at Farnborough.' Mansfield Reporter, 27 July 1917 (extract): ‘Huthwaite. Memorial Service. At the Parish Church, on Sunday morning, a memorial service was conducted by the Rev. FA Beswick, to Lance-Corporal B Bailey and Privates JW Taylor, A Tomlinson, CO Buxton, CH Moakes and J Pendleton, all Huthwaite men who have laid down their lives in the war. There was a large congregation, and there were wreaths on the roll of honour, and on the lectern and pulpit.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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