Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George William Taylor, a domestic groom, born 29th March 1863 in Stanground, Huntingdonshire and his wife Alice Taylor (nee Wagstaff, married in the 3rd quarter of 1897 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district)), born 26th September 1876 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Bertie George, was born on the 1st September 1898 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 1, Providence Place, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Bertie was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 19, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a domestic groom, his mother and brother Donald Vincent, born 23rd May 1906 in Melton Mowbray. In 1939 Bertie’s father, a retired dyer’s labourer and his mother were residing at 14, Wyvern Terrace, Melton Mowbray. Bertie was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 26 Sep-17 - ELM TREE CORNER. 2.00am. Battalion Headquarters established forward for the attack at ELM TREE CORNER D.20A.05.60. 3.50am. Bombardment started. 5.50am ZERO hour, the Battalion went over to capture all enemy positions on HILL 37 sheet 28.NE1, D.20A.45.80, “A” and “B” Companies in front line each two platoons in front line, 1 platoon in support, “D” Company in support. 2nd Lieutenant BOWIE killed, Captain O. H. FIELDEN wounded, 2nd Lieutenant F. D. FARLEY wounded. Platoons kept within 100 yards of barrage and in some cases closer, general tendency was to get too close to barrage. Hostile strong point caused little difficulty as leading waves were close under barrage. 6.50am. All objectives taken. Lieutenant Colonel G. B. G. WOOD wounded, 2nd Lieutenant L. ROWBATHAN wounded. Bombardment of both sides continued during whole day. Battalion Headquarters established in Pill Box on HILL 37, D.20A.65.85. 4.00pm. Enemy counter-attack beaten back, Captain W. H. OLIVER, Lieutenant C. H. L. WYNNE wounded. Lieutenant Colonel G. GERMAN took command of the Battalion. Battalion Headquarters moved to Pill Box D.20A.7.8. Artillery very active on both sides during night of September 26th/27th.
The War Diary records: 27 Sep-17 - HILL 37. Artillery on both sides very active during the day, Battalion relieved part of 2/5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and part of the 2/5th SHERWOOD FORESTERS in the front line.
On Friday October 12th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. Mr and Mrs George Taylor, 14, Wyvern Terrace, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, have been informed unofficially that their elder son, Pte. Bertie G. Taylor, Leicester’s, has been killed in action. The news is corroborated from various sources, but no official confirmation has yet been received. Pte. Taylor was only 19, and he enlisted in the local Territorial’s three years ago at the age of 16 years and two months. During the Irish Rebellion he experienced some narrow escapes, and one of the souvenirs which he brought home was a bullet which just missed his shoulder and entered the brickwork against which he was standing. After leaving school he was employed by Mr Claud Brown, afterwards working for Mr Canham, of the Canterbury Meat Co. On Friday October 19th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – THANKS. Mr and Mrs George Taylor, 14, Wyvern Terrace, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, desire to return their sincere thanks for the numerous expressions of sympathy which they have received in their bereavement.
On Friday October 26th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. Mr and Mrs George Taylor, 14, Wyvern Terrace, Brook Street, Melton Mowbray, have received an official notification confirming the news of the death of their elder son, Pte. Bertie G. Taylor, of the Leicester’s, which we recorded a fortnight ago. He was only 19 years of age.
On Friday November 9th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – The following local casualty was included in the official list published on Friday:- KILLED.- LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Taylor, 240949 B. G. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. TAYLOR. – In ever loving memory of Private Bertie G. Taylor, Leicester Regiment, the dearly loved elder son of Alice and George Taylor, killed in action in France, September 26th, 1917, aged 19 years.
Dear son of our hearts, you sleep with the brave.
Where no tears of your loved ones, ever fall on your grave.
We loved you in life, you are dear to us still.
But in grief we must bend to God’s holy will.
With fondest thoughts from his sorrowing Mother, Father, and only brother Don and Grannie.