WILFRED JACKSON TAYLOR 1886–1921

RGA

Born 19th April 1886 in Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln

Baptised 30th May 1886 Thorpe on the Hill Parish Church

Married 29 January 1913 to Eliza Bradshaw Blackwell Parish Church, Derbys; children Herbert Francis born 1913 and Edna Mary born 1915. Herbert died 2nd May 1919 from tuberculosis. He was 6 years old.

Died 2nd July 1921, aged 35

Buried in Radcliffe on Trent cemetery and commemorated on Saxondale War Memorial.

Commonwealth war grave L149

1891 Census

Age 4 living in Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln. Father Francis, age 51, farm labourer, mother Mary, age 47. Four siblings: John 22, Emily 14, Francis 12 and Joseph 10.

1901 Census

Age 14 a farm boy living in Brant Broughton, Lincolnshire with his mother now a widow.  No other siblings in household.

1911 Census
Working as an attendant at Notts. County Asylum, Radcliffe on Trent. He married Eliza Bradshaw, kitchen maid at the asylum,  in Mansfield March 1913.

Military Service

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 64006

Military Unit: 33rd Company, Royal Garrison Artillery

Theatre of War: France and Flanders

Attested in Nottingham 27.10.15. Address, 8 Asylum Cottages, Henson Lane, Radcliffe on Trent.

5.11.15: Posted

10.10.16: 1st Class Signalling and Telephony at Hepswell Camp

1.2.17: Will written

23.8.17: Admitted to Australian General Hospital, Rouen.  Illness – severe pyrexia of unknown origin. P.U.O. referred to a prolonged fever with unknown cause. Next of kin were informed, indicating he was dangerously ill.

27.8.17: Transferred to 5th Southern General hospital, Portsmouth

18.9.18: Discharged. Character ‘very good’. Silver War Badge issued. Granted a weekly pension of 27s 6d from 19.9.1918

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory. Wife Eliza acknowledged receipt of campaign medals 20.8.1921.

Other information

Wilfred Taylor worked at Notts. County asylum for at least five years before enlisting. He was in France during the war but no details of his service are given on his military record. He died on 2nd July 1921 at Cropwell Butler. His wife Eliza was present at the death which was certified by Dr Cope. The death was registered on 7th July. His occupation is given as ‘late attendant at Mental Hospital’. His death certificate states that he died of trench fever and tuberculosis. Eliza had been present at the death of their son on 2nd May 1919, also from tuberculosis. Wilfred was buried in Radcliffe on Trent and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.  Epitaph: ‘Some day we’ll understand’.

His name is on Saxondale Memorial (a late addition below Voce) but not on Radcliffe on Trent Memorial.

His widow received a weekly pension of thirty-six shillings 8d (£1 80p) from 1 October 1921.

From 1939 Register

Eliza and her daughter Edna were living in Mansfield. Edna married William Mallinder. Eliza died 1978, she had never remarried.

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Lived and worked in the parish of Radcliffe on Trent.

Taylor gravesone

Radcliffe on Trent Cemetery