George Cliff Taylor
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Taylor and his wife Louisa, had a family of six children. Their earlier days of marriage were spent in Yorkshire where John was farm labouring. In the 1881 census, John Taylor seems to have adopted the middle name of Cliff and by 1891 all his children are tagged the same with the middle name. Whilst living in Yorkshire, they had four children, John T born 1869, Laura (or Louisa) in 1871, Albert 1874 and Ada in 1877. In the next couple of years, the family had moved to Clayworth, near Retford where two more boys were born, George in 1880 and Arthur in 1883, both registered with the middle name of Cliff (or Cliffe in the case of Arthur). John Cliff Taylor died in 1908 age 71 and in 1911, George (the subject of this text) was working as a grocer’s assistant. His mother, Louisa died in 1916 age 76. Note:- Although George's name appears on the Clayworth Roll of Honour memorial presented as G. Cliff-Taylor, his official birth registration name is George Cliff, Taylor
George enlisted at Retford. He was at first serving with the South Staffordshire Regiment, number 40906 and at some stage transferred to "C" Coy. 1st Bn K. O. S. B. His soldiering days came to an end whilst fighting in Belgium. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Ploegsteet Memorial. Pte George Cliffe Taylor Retford Times 15 Aug 1919 Official news has reached Clayworth that Pte George Cliffe Taylor who has been reported missing since April 1918 had now been notified as dead. This gallant soldier enlisted under the Derby scheme and joined the forces in April 1915. He was at first attached to the South Stafford and afterwards transferred to the K.O.S.B. After being some time with a Trench Mortar Battery he returned to his battalion. He was reported missing during the retreat of March and April 1918. Pte Cliffe Taylor was well known and respected in the district. He was for 15 years employed in the gardens at Wiseton Hall and later at Clayworth rectory. Much sympathy is felt for his relatives and also for his fiancée.
CWG additional information:- Son of the late John and Louisa Cliff Taylor, of Clayworth. Retford, Notts. Research by Colin Dannatt
