Home Page Home Page Home Page
Born: 1892, Eccleshill
Died: 28 March, 1916
Buried: Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery, Belgium
Address: 17 Mount Street, Eccleshill
Parents: Richard and Sarah
Spouse:
Siblings: Thomas, Charles, Zellah, Clifford
Occupation: Weaver (1911)
Organisations/clubs: Football and cricket
Military
Rank:Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, park and St Luke’s
Children:
Regiment: 12 West Yorkshire
Gilbert Taylor
Mr and Mrs Richard Taylor of 17 Mount Street, Eccleshill were informed that their son Gilbert was missing from his regiment. Pte F Taylor, 12th West Yorks said: “I am writing this at the first opportunity to let you know about Gilbert. I am very sorry to say he is reported missing and there seems to be nothing else for it but that he has been killed. ‘This is how it happened. Twenty- four men out of our battalion, which included myself and your son, were picked to carry bombs in a charge for the Northumberland Fusiliers. We got over into the German lines in safety and came back again for more bombs and this was repeated. ‘On coming back the third time we got separated by a lot of German prisoners and I never saw Gilbert
again. I have made inquiries at the Field Ambulance stations but they know nothing of him. The Germans made no prisoners of our lot so I can see nothing else for it but that he has been killed. ‘He was the least in size amongst us but he had a big heart and never showed any signs of fear. My comrades and myself send you our deepest sympathy.’ Still clinging to the belief that their son might have got back to some other part of the line, Mr and Mrs Taylor wrote back asking for more information. In reply, Pte Taylor wrote: ‘I think I have told you all that is possible
about Gilbert. I have made inquiries of the men now in the trenches but they have seen nothing of him. ‘Mr and Mrs Taylor your son has been missing since March 28th. My own opinion which is shared by my comrades is that he is killed. ‘Quite a lot of men out here are killed and buried by the shells bursting near them. I shall keep on making inquiries and if his body is recovered you can rest assured that it will get a decent burial.’ Pte Taylor enlisted last Whit Monday in the 3rd West Yorkshire Regt but was later transferred to the 12th battalion. He left for France on October 6th and within a week was engaged in trench
warfare. He was missing after the successful attack at St Eloi. Before joining the army he was an enthusiastic footballer and in playing in the final at Park Avenue with Sunfield Rovers for the Bradford Hospital Cup which occurred two years ago, his leg was broken. Sunfield proved winners and Taylor obtained a gold medal. The season following he joined Bolton United Club and as they were the winners for the Amateur League and the Amateur Cup and also the Bradford Alliance Cup, Taylor obtained three gold medals that season. He also won a medal as a playing member of the Eccleshill Clarence cricket team. He was 24 years of age. Shipley Times & Express 12-5-1916
Eccleshill Roll of Honour Eccleshill Roll of Honour Eccleshill Roll of Honour Men Who Served Home Page Men Who Served Home Page Men Who Served Home Page