George Taylor

A Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, George died on 22nd of July 1917 at the age of 32. 

George was born at Norwich in 1883, a son of Edward James and Emma Taylor. In 1891 his family lived at 47 Ber Street, Norwich. 

George was working as a wheelwright when enlisted in the Army, at Norwich, on 19 September 1901. He joined the 13th Hussars, service number 5947. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 8 May 1903, Corporal on 28 February 1904, and Sergeant on 8 September 1904. From 1904 to 1906 he served in India. On 31 January 1906 he was transferred to the 11th Hussars, service number 613. George joined the Army Reserve on 19 September 1909. He was discharged on completion of his engagement on 18 September 1913.   

In 1911 George lived with his brother Alfred at 115 High Street, Lowestoft, where Alfred had an outfitter’s business. George assisted Alfred in the business. Also living at 115 High Street were Ellen Bonney and her two daughters, Mary and Ellen Laura. George married Ellen Laura Bonney at Lowestoft in 1914. They lived at 94 Worthing Road and, later, Ellen lived at Etive, 537 London Road. 

On 6 August 1914 George re-engaged with Section D of the Army Reserve. A note on his pre-World War One service papers shows that he rejoined his regiment on 11 August 1914 and he would have gone with them to France later that month. It is highly likely that George was present at the Battel of Nery on 1 September 1914. George’s name appears in the official casualty list dated 2 October 1914 as having been reported missing on 12 September 1914. 

It is not clear whether George was transferred to the Suffolk Regiment, or whether he had been discharged from the Hussars and re-enlisted, but we know that by 1917 he was a Sergeant serving with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 31877. 

Just after 8 a.m. on 22 July 1917 a formation of 16 German Gotha bombers began attacking Felixstowe and dropped several bombs. One bomb fell on the Ordnance Hotel. A barman was killed and four men of the Suffolk Regiment, including George, were wounded. Soon afterwards George and Private Charles Nash died of their wounds. 

George’s obituary, and details of his funeral, appear in the Lowestoft Journal 28 July 1917, page 3:

OBITUARY: SERGT. G. TAYLOR

The funeral of Sergeant G. Taylor, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Taylor, baker, 47 Ber Street, Norwich, husband of Mrs. Taylor 94 Worthing Road, Lowestoft, and brother of Mr. A.E. Taylor, tailor, 115 High Street, took place on Thursday at Lowestoft Cemetery. The deceased solider, who was in the Suffolk Regiment, originally served in the 13th Hussars in India, and was transferred to the 11th Hussars, where he held the position of sergeant. On leaving the Army he was engaged in business with his brother at Lowestoft, and subsequently joined the Suffolk Regiment. He was much respected in the Borough, and as a mark of sympathy all the blinds were drawn in Worthing Road from the time the sergeant was brought home to the hour at which the interment rites ended. 
The coffing, of polished oak, has a breastplate inscribed:-
Sergt. G. Taylor, 3rd Suffolk Regiment, Killed 22nd July 1917, Aged 33.

The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and eight sergeants of the Queen’s acted as bearers.
The mourners were: The widow, father, mother, Messrs. Arthur Taylor, Herbert Taylor, Alfred Taylor, Frank Taylor (brothers), Mrs. Emma Hurrell and Mrs. Nellie Giles (sisters), Mrs. Alfred Taylor (sister-in-law), and Mrs. Littlewood (sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Keable, Mr. E.T. Barnard, Mr. Percival, Mr. Pinder, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick, and Mr. Springfield. 

Floral tokens were sent as follows:- A cross, inscribed “Dearest, till we are reunited, from your broken hearted wife Nell”; Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Taylor (father and mother); Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Giles. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Hurrell; With deepest sympathy from Allan and Flo; With deepest sympathy from Will; With sincere sympathy from Arthur Littlewood, Alice, and the children; Mr. and Mrs. Symonds, Mr. and Mrs. Stannard and baby; With every regret and sympathy, from Mrs. Thether, Southend-on-Sea, Essex; With deepest sympathy from Frank and Kate; With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Barnard; With deepest sympathy, from Aunt Annie, Uncle and Gladys; With deepest sympathy from Emmie, frank, and Ida; from the officers, warrant officers, and men of the 3rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment; from the sergeants of the 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment; from the sergeant of the 3rd Battalion Essex Regiment; Mr. and Mrs. Nobbs and family; from the neighbours; Auntie Colman and Millie.  

Mr. Horace Riches was the undertaker. The Washington car and coaches were supplied by Messrs. W. Gage and Sons.
Mrs. G. Taylor wishes to thank the many friends for the kindness and sympathy shown her in her sad bereavement; and also for floral tokens sent. 

Note: Although George definitely served in France with the 11th Hussars in 1914, his name does not appear to have been entered on the roll for the 1914 (Mons) Star and he cannot be found on any medal roll or medal index card.