Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Henry Taylor, born 1850 in Collingham, Nottinghamshire and his wife Emma Taylor (nee Parnham, married in the 2nd quarter of 1880 in the Newark, Nottinghamshire district), born 1855 in Heckington, Lincolnshire. Albert Edward was born in the 4th quarter of 1890 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, John Henry, a schoolboy, born 1882 in Lincoln and Grace, a schoolgirl, born 3rd February 1885 in Besthorpe, Nottinghamshire, in 1891 he was residing at Dalby on the Wolds, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his maternal Uncle, George Alfred Parnham, a groom, born 1850 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, his wife Jane Parnham, born 1859 in Old Basford, Nottinghamshire and their children, Sarah Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1882 in Old Basford, and William Oliver, a schoolboy, born 1887 in Nottingham and George Albert, born 1890 in Old, Dalby, Leicestershire. Albert’s father, a labourer, was residing at 6, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Albert was residing in the family home at 34, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a chef, his mother and siblings, John, a pork pie maker and Grace, a wool trade spinner. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a dairyman and was residing in the family home at 18, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a potted meat maker and his brother John, a sausage maker. Albert’s married sister Grace Ager, who was in 1939 living in the family home at 23, High Street, Clacton, Essex with her husband Alfred and their two sons Leonard Alfred, born 14th August 1910 and Albert Edward, born 20th March 1919, it is fitting that she named the youngest son after her late brother.
Albert enlisted into the Army as a Special Reservist on a 1 year engagement on the 24th August 1914 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his age as 23 years and 328 days, and his trade or calling as electrician’s labourer. He gave his home address as 18, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he had served for 4 years with the Territorial Force. He gave his father, John Taylor of 18, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, he weighed 139 pounds and his chest measurement was between 33½ and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh and his hair colour as brown, he had blue eyes. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. His service record gives the following details; He joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment for Recruit Training as a Private, with the service number 12020 on the 24/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 3/9/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 12/12/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 12/12/14. Reported missing after operations in the field on the 15/5/15. Later confirmed killed in action, place not stated on the 15/5/15. A summary of his service is: Home Service, 24/8/14 – 11/12/14, 110 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/12/14 – 15/5/15, 155 days. Total service 265 days. The following information was provided on the 6th May 1919 by Albert’s mother Emma on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, John Taylor of 18 Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Mother of soldier, Emma Taylor of 18, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Full blood brothers of soldier, John Henry Taylor, age 37 of 10, Bayswater Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Full blood sisters of soldier, Grace Ager, age 34 of 61, Victoria Street, Crewe, Cheshire. Nephews and Nieces of the soldier, Edith Mary Taylor, age 7, Grace Amelia Taylor, age 4, Emily Caroline Taylor, age 2, all of 10, Bayswater Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Leonard Alfred Ager, age 8, Albert Edward Ager, age 1, both of 61, Victoria Street, Crewe, Cheshire. Uncles and Aunts of soldier, Wm. Taylor of 25, Parliament Street, Newark, Notts. Elizabeth Sutterton of Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Margaret Clarke of 1, Cooper Street, -?-, Notts. Alfred Parnham of -?- Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. Albert was awarded the 1914 – 15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals.
The War Diary records. 15 May-15 - Battalion rested during the day in LANSDOWNE POST. Moved off at 8.00pm. Battalion took over front line from which the assault was to be made and by 9.30pm Companies were in position. Telephonic communication established with left and right and communication by officers ascertained between men on left and 2nd Div on my right. Eleven bridges were placed over the stream which runs parallel to position and about 20 to 30 yards in front of it, there with the existing four bridges made a total of 15 on the Battalion front. It was not possible to place more bridges in position as the stream had been widened at many points by big shell holes, and the trunks and branches of fallen trees also blocked any other places where bridges might have been put. This getting of the bridges into position was an operation of great difficulty on account of the constant flares and bursts of fire from the enemy’s parapet. It was skilfully and quietly done with only two or three casualties. At 10.45pm two platoons were crossed over to the far side of the stream. Four more platoons were formed up ready, in the trenches to go forward and support the leading platoons. The remaining two Companies were formed up lying down behind the parados in close column of platoons ready to advance. Thus the whole Battalion was got into its final position in order of attack and as close up as possible. This final formation was complete by 11.20pm and thanks to the able leading of Company Commanders the movement was carried out in perfect order, and with no noise. At 11.30pm the leading platoons went forward to the assault closely supported by the second line. The lines in rear went forward to take up the positions vacated by the leading line. At the same time, or if anything some seconds before 11.30pm the enemy opened a very heavy fire with rifles and machine guns. A few minutes afterwards trench mortars and shrapnel searched the stream and the ground on both sides of it. The enemy threw from their parapet some kind of fire grenade which burst into fire on impact with the ground, and these with continuous flames of all colours, literally turned night into day. The leading men pushed on but only a few were able to reach near the enemy’s parapet. Each succeeding line came under a very heavy fire, the bridges got so blocked and the obstacles caused by fallen trees and shell holes so impeded movement that effective support could not be given. Thus the impetus of the assault was broken before it really got a proper start. The enemy’s parapet was fully manned and the accuracy and intensity may be understood from the fact that 8 officers, Platoon Commanders were killed or wounded. About 12 midnight reports were received from the front that our attack could not reach the German line, orders were then given to withdraw to our own trenches.
On Saturday 10th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – MISSING. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, of 18, Brook-street, Melton Mowbray, have been notified that their son, Private A. E. TAYLOR (12020), D Co., 2nd Batt. Leicestershire Regiment, has been missing since May 15th. They would welcome any news of him from colleagues of the regiment.
On Friday July 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – The following men on the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 28th June to be missing:- Arnold, 7130, Private E. Brockington, 6628, Private F. Clarke, 16385, Private T. Coles, 9219, Lance-Corpl. W. Cook, 15799, Private T. Easton, 11565, Private R. Fletcher, 12850, Private L. Grant, 9667, Private E. Holmes, 12458, Corporal W. Jarman 8500, Private J. Jarman, 7723, Private W. Jones, 8524, Private R. Langham, 12503, Private F. Litchfield, 7354, Private G. Morris, 7004, Private J. Pilkington, 12687, Private J. Poulton, 11973, Private G. H. Pullen, 9912, Private W. Slater, 9851, Private W. Stokes, 9843, Private W. Tarratt, 11502, Private G. Timson 9452, Private F. Taylor, 12020, Private A. E. Wood, 7368, Private H. Woodford, 6469, Private W.
On Friday May 5th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON LAD KILLED. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, of 18, Brook-street, have this week received the official intimation that their son, Pte. A. E. Taylor, of the Leicestershire Regiment who was previously reported missing was killed in the action of May 15th 1915 – nearly 12 months ago. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved parents, who never saw their boy from the time he enlisted at the outbreak of the war. Previously he was employed by Messrs. Tebbet and Co., and in the electrical department at Holwell Iron Works. He was 26 years of age.
On Friday May 19th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. In loving memory of our dear son, Pte. A. E. Taylor, Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action May 13th 1915. From father, mother, brother, sister and a friend – Rose. “Gone but not forgotten.” And in the same issue under the heading:- “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, 18, Brook-street, Melton Mowbray, wish to thank all friends for sympathy shown to them in their bereavement.