Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frank Taylor, a national school master, born 1858 in Weston Colville, Cambridgeshire and his wife Annie Jane Taylor (nee Tatchell, married in the 2nd quarter of 1879 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1859 in Glamorganshire, Wales. Claude was born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Percy Reginald A., a baker, born 1882, Bernard Tatchell, a lime burner’s clerk, born 1885, Ellen Barbara, born 1887 and Cyril Norman John, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Breedon on the Hill, in March 1901 the family home was at Holly Cottage, Breedon on the Hill. In April 1911 Claude was a student and was residing in the family home at Holly Cottage, Breedon on the Hill, together with his father, an elementary school head teacher, his mother and siblings Ellen and Jack. Claude also had an older sister, Ida Mabel Taylor, born 1880 in Breedon on the Hill. Although in many of the documents relating to him, Claude is shown to have the second Christian name of George he was officially recorded at birth as Claude.
Claude attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 8th April 1915 in Lutterworth. He gave his present home address as Bank Street, Lutterworth, his place of birth as Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire, his age as 24 years and 35 days and his trade or calling as assistant school master. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Frank Taylor of School House, Breedon, Ashby de la Zouch as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 118 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 34 inches. His physical development was described as fair. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester as a Rifleman, service number R/11483 on the 9/4/15. Posted to the 6th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Sheerness on the 16/4/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 6/8/15. Posted to the 8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps on the 7/8/15. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 10/12/15. Killed in action, in the field on the 24/8/16. Total service 1 year 140 days. Claude was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Claude’s father Frank Taylor on the 1st -?- 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?- Brown, J.P., County of Leicester, Park View, Ashby de la Zouch on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Frank Taylor of Breedon on the Hill, Nr. Derby. Mother of soldier, Annie Jane Taylor of Breedon on the Hill, Nr. Derby. Full blood brothers of soldier, Percy R. A. Taylor age 37 of Post Office, Breedon on the Hill, Derby. Bernard Taylor, age 35 of Gaddesby, Leicester. Jack Taylor, age 18 of Breedon on the Hill, Nr. Derby. Full blood sisters of soldier, Ida Mabel Webb, age 39 of Post Office, Breedon, Derby. Ellen B. Taylor, age 31 of Breedon on the Hill, Nr. Derby.
In late 1916 Claude’s father wrote the following letter:-
Holly Cottage
Breedon
Ashby de la Zouch
Nr. Derby.
R/11483
L/C C. Taylor
8th Batt. King’s Royal Rifle’s
Killed Aug 24/16
Sir
I am instructed by the War Office to write to you respecting the effects of the above. Since after my son fell at Delville Wood his great companion and fellow -?- L/C -?- searched his pockets and packed up the contents in a small parcel, but before he could post it he had to return to the trenches so handed it to the 2 i/c Sergeant to send me. I have written to the 2 i/c S of the 8th K R R but can get no reply from him. I am requested to ask if you have received it, and if so will you kindly forward the same and anything that you may have received of his effects. I have forwarded Form 39 of his will to the “War Office” as requested by the secretary.
I am
Yours Truly
Frank Taylor
Further correspondence dated July 1917 reads:-
Leicestershire County Council Education Committee
Breedon on the Hill School
Nr. Derby
July 31/17
Dear Sir
I am instructed by the “War Office” to apply to you for the “effects” of the late Lance Corporal C. Taylor, K.R.R. No. 11483. Killed in action August 24 1916. The War Office informs me that they have given authority for these to be disposed of and I have heard from the officials in France that they had been sent.
I am
Yours Faithfully
Frank Taylor.
Claude’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 24 Aug-16 – TRENCHES. DUKE OF WELLINGTON’S REGIMENT came up to front line to -?- strong points on left flank of 61st Brigade, and position -?- -?- about pm. Captain G. E. H. KEESEY killed, 2nd Lieutenant H. R. ADAIR wounded, Lieutenant C. K. THOMPSON and 2nd Lieutenant D. H. BEVES shell shocked. (NOTE: In the War Diary for the month of August 1916 there are three pages listing all casualties names, however Claude’s name does not appear among them.)
On Friday November 10th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THE LATE LIEUT. C. J. WRIGHT. – In this week’s Battalion Orders of the Leicestershire Cadets, Colonel H. Harvey, V.D., D.L., says: The C.O. notes with deep regret the death in France of Second-Lieut. C. J. Wright, Machine Gun Corps, one of the original officers of this battalion. The C.O. is sure that his regret will be shared by all ranks, and trusts that the example of Second-Lieut. Wright’s sacrifice will not be lost on the Battalion. At a meeting of the Governors held on November 3rd, 1916. Mr. Richard Dalgliesh, D.L., J.P., chairman of Governors presiding, the following resolution was adopted:- “That this meeting of the Governors of the County Grammar School of King Edward VII, Melton Mowbray, place on record their appreciation of the services rendered to the school and of the high example set to the scholars by the late Senior Science Master, Second- Lieutenant Charles James Wright, South Staffordshire Regiment, killed in action in France on the 19th October, 1916, and that the Chairman be asked to convey to his wife and relatives the assurance of their sympathy with them in their irreparable loss.” At Wednesday’s meeting of the Leicestershire County Council, the Chairman (Mr. T. Cope), in moving the adoption of the Education Committee’s report, said the committee had learned with deep regret the death on active service of Second Lieutenant C. J. Wright, late of Melton Mowbray Grammar School, Sergeant J. C. Whitlock, Melton Mowbray C.E. School and Private C. G. Taylor, Lutterworth Boy’s School. They had been gratified to hear that Lieutenant M. A. Kent, a woodwork instructor had been awarded the Military Cross.