Percy Taylor
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy Taylor was born in 1885 at Nottingham, he was the son of Samuel a coal merchant and Annie Taylor née Fiddler of 48 Denison Street, Nottingham. His father was a coal merchant and the sign for his yard is still legible (see photo) he was born in 188 at Coventry his mother Annie Eliza Fiddler was born in 1860 at Hyson Green, Nottingham, they were married on 24th August 1879 at Lenton Priory, Nottingham, they had 6 children, sadly 3 died in infancy or early childhood, their other surviving children were George b1882 and Alice Emma b1881 they lived at 58 Hartley Road and later at 48 Denison Street (both Radford Nottingham). Taylor was admitted to Nottingham High School on 14th September 1898 (the same day as D H Lawrence). They shared the same birthday (24/6/1885). In the 1911 census the family was living at 48 Denison Street, Nottingham, Samuel 53 yrs is a coal merchant, he is living with his wife Annie 51yrs and their children, Alice Emma 30 yrs a lace worker and Percy 25 yrs a lace warehouseman.
Sergeant Percy Taylor enlisted at Nottingham, he served with the 1/7th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment, he was killed in action on 18th June 1915 and is buried at Kemmel Chateaux Military Cemetery.
All Saints Church News, August 1918: 'Sergeant Taylor, Sherwood Foresters, 28 Raleigh Street, on being decorated with the Military Medal, “for great bravery and courage in leading his men under heavy machine gun fire.” He comes from a fighting stock, his father being an old Sherwood Foresters who also won medals in the Indian campaign in the nineties.'Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged) 28 July 1915: Sgt Percy Taylor, 7th Sherwood Foresters, 48 Denison Street, Radford, killed in action June 18th.Inscription on family memorial All Saints, Raleigh Street, Nottingham (WMA 27350): 'In loving memory of Sgt. Percy Taylor, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters Robin Hood Rifles), born 24 June 1885, killed in action 18 June 1915 at St Eloi near Ypres, Belgium, whilst nobly fighting for his country. "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends."Article published 30th June 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “A ROBIN HOOD SERGEANT KILLED IN ACTION. “FOURTEEN YEARS A VOLUNTEER. “His many friends in the city will hear with regret that on Waterloo Day, Sergt. Percy Taylor, of the 7th (Robin Hoods) Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action. He joined the Robin Hoods some years ago, was extremely popular, and was an excellent shot, gaining many valuable prizes. “Sergt. Taylor received his early training at the New Radford Church School, and afterwards entered the Nottingham High School, where he was one of the first members of the Cadet Bugle Band. On leaving school he joined the bugle band of the Robin Hoods. Taylor, who was also a member of the All Saints’ Church Choir and an officer in the Boys’ Brigade attached to that church, was on the staff of Messrs. G. W. Price, Ltd., Stoney-street.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
