Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William and Martha Taylor. Other sources show his place of residence as Whitwick, Leics. The War Diary for today records. LE VERGUIER. 5.50am. Zero hour 137th Infantry Brigade attacked HINDENBURG LINE, crossed the canal and reached all objectives 400 yards east of the canal. Battn was not due to cross until after 11.00am and parade had originally been ordered for 9.30am. In view of fog however it was decided to start earlier. 8.45am. Fog was thick, impossible to see 5 yards Battn paraded near the QUARRY and started off in column of fours by track towards ASCENSION RIDGE. B Coy, 1 platoon, A and D Coy’s and Battn HQ Details lost touch and were lost. All N.C.O.’s sent forward as connecting files to keep in touch with the 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT were lost. Lt Col J. L. GRIFFITHS consequently ordered Battn to keep as close up as possible and led them by compass straight across country to assembly position, ASCENSION TRENCH passed 10.50am. 10.35am. Battn formed up 100 yards west of “jumping off” tapes of 137th Infantry Brigade 1.6 on east side of front line ridge. Rested 40 minutes. Still no sign of B Coy or Details. Adjutant became temporarily lost but returned at 10.15am without his horse which he had, had to abandon in the fog. 11.20am Battn advanced to the canal in artillery formation A Coy (PETCH) right, C Coy (BANWELL) centre, D. Coy (CORAH) left. No reserve available unless B Coy turn up. Fog cleared and 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT could be seen in front. Battn crossed canal by 2 dams and formed up on east side, in lines of sections in -?- formation. 12.00noon. Battn advanced and halted just west of crest of KNOBKERRY RIDGE while 4th Battn LEICESTERSHIRE REGT consolidated YELLOW LINE and 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT pushed on to the DOTTED BLUE LINE. Tanks came up in a -?- late but delayed by fog difficulties opposite BELLICOURT. Australians and Americans could be seen on left but so far nothing could be found of SHERWOOD FORESTERS Brigade on right. 12.35pm. Battn again advanced to just behind DOTTED BLUE LINE. Tanks appeared on sky line south of MAGNY village and caused considerable shelling of our right flank which however found some cover in old trenches until time came to advance on final objective. The Padre Reverend C. B. W. BUCK C.F. arrived with platoon of D Coy, and Battn HQ Details. He had found them and led them up through the barrage and regardless of damage, arriving in time for the final advance. 1.40pm. Final advance started. Right flank heavily shelled at point blank range and several casualties caused. Objective reached everywhere and consolidation started opposite MERVILLE old mill a Brigade Battery could be seen limbering up. Patrol of C Coy could not be restrained and went at once through the barrage losing one or two men on the way, horses were killed and gun left, but men got away. 2.30pm. Barrage ceased A Coy (PETCH) consolidated trench junction 500 yards north of LEHAUCOURT and sent patrols down to the village getting into touch with the SHERWOOD FORESTERS Brigade who came up at this time. Battn in LEVERGIES and near LE TRONQUOY firing point blank caused considerable inconvenience. C Coy (BANWELL) consolidated sunken road north and south through the OLD MILL also suffering under point blank gunfire. D Coy (CORAH) consolidated forward edge of FOSSE WOOD and north as far as crest line on MAGNY – JONNECOURT ROAD, getting in touch with AUSTRALIAN CORPS on left. Owing to AMERICAN CORPS not having gained final objective, left wing somewhat in the air, and JONNECOURT not yet captured. Captured about 100 prisoners and 8 guns (5 77 mm 1 5.9 inch Howitzer and 2 4.2 inch long guns). 4.00pm. All men dug in, B Coy appeared and took up position in Reserve post north east of MAGNY village in old gun positions. Everybody hoping for arrival of 32nd Division to clean up the situation on the left flank. Shelling still very heavy. Battn HQ bombed by an aeroplane with British markings, no casualties. Captain C. B. W. BUCK C.F. killed by shell when going out with Medical Officer (Captain W. T. H. JACK ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS) to rescue some of the tank crews. 10 Tanks altogether put out of action by enemy shell fire. 5.30pm. 32nd Division arrived and marched through. Unfortunately they met with considerable resistance and were seriously held up by enemy field guns in JONNECOURT and LEVERGIES. These two villages were consequently not captured. Enemy shelled all positions very heavily with 77 mm and 105 mm shells. Several casualties caused. Outpost position taken up for the night.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday November 1st, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

The sad news has been received by Mr and Mrs Taylor, the Forest, near St. Bernard’s Abbey, Coalville, that their son, Sergt. William Taylor, of the Leicesters, was killed in action on September 29th, 1918. He was a well-known lad on the Forest, and was much respected by all who knew him. When war broke out he was in camp with the Territorials and went to France in February 1915, and has seen nearly four years of active service. He has also won distinction for his many brave deeds. Only a few days before his death he was recommended for decoration. His death was a great blow to his mother and father, brother and sister, Rolla and Cissie, and he is greatly mourned by all who knew him. He was 24 years of age. Writing to Mrs Taylor, an officer states, “We had reached our final objective on the 29th and were engaged in consolidating our ground when a shell splinter hit your son in the head. He was killed immediately and can have suffered no pain. He was buried two days afterwards in one of the villages he himself had helped to capture. He had been with me for more than two years and I had come to look upon him as a personal friend as well as an excellent N.C.O. The whole company mourn his death and I must convey to you their deepest sympathy in your loss. Only a few days previously I had recommended your son for a decoration. He single-handedly dealt with an enemy machine-gun which was holding up his platoon. This was only typical of his many brave deeds, and I can never replace him in my company.”

Coalville Times article - Friday November 8th, 1918

In loving memory of my dear Will (Sergt. S. W. Taylor) 1/5th Leicesters, who fell in action, September 29th, 1918.

“He nobly did his duty”

“A sorrow too deep for words”

From his loving Sarah.

In loving memory of our dear friend, Sergeant S. W. Taylor, 1/5th Leicesters, who fell in action, September 29th, 1918.

“He nobly did his duty
In a hero’s grave he lies
A loving friend, true and kind
Leaves nothing but sweet memories behind.”

From Mr and Mrs Wallam, Daisy and Albert.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 26th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of my dear Will (Sergt. S. W. Taylor, M.M.), 1/5th Leicesters, who fell in action, September 29th, 1918.

“Ever remembered”

By his loving Sarah.

In loving memory of our dear friend, Sergt. S. W. Taylor, M.M., 1/5th Leicesters, who fell in action, September 29th, 1918.

“Worthy of true respect was he,
From those he has left behind.
A more faithful friend there could not be,
Or one more true and kind.”

From Mr and Mrs Wallam, Daisy and Albert.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 24th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergt. Sam William Taylor, M.M., 1/5th Leicesters, who was killed in action, September 29th, 1918.

“We think of you in silence,
Your name we often recall;
But there’s nothing left to answer
But your photo on the wall.

We little thought the morning we parted,
It would be his last farewell.
But his unknown grave’s the bitterest blow,
None but aching hearts can tell.”

From his loving Mother, Father, Sister and Brother.

Coalville Times article - Friday 2nd January, 1920

WHITWICK FRIENDLY SOCIETY’S PROPOSED WAR MEMORIAL

TO TEN FALLEN MEMBERS

The Marquis of Hastings Friendly Society at Whitwick, of which Mr Walter Whitmore is secretary, have set out upon a worthy object. When war broke out they had 350 members, and of these, no less than 90 joined the Forces, of whom ten were killed in action. The members are now endeavouring to raise £100 as a memorial to these fallen brothers, the sum to be invested and the interest used for relieving needy cases.

Towards this object, a very successful whist drive and fancy dress dance were held in the Whitwick Holy Cross Schools, on Wednesday night, when there was a large attendance and many of the dancers wore excellent fancy dresses for which prizes were awarded. The Whitwick Holy Cross Band played for dancing, for which the M.C.’s were Messrs. J. H. McCarthy and B. Massey, and the prize-winners were:

Ladies: 1 Miss Darby, as an Italian peasant; 2 Mrs Roulstone, a gipsy.
Gents: 1 Mr B. Hutchby, a Chinaman; 2 Mr Haywood of Coalville, as “Ole Bill.”

The prizes were presented to the successful competitors by Canon O’Reilly. The M.C.’s for whist were Messrs. F. E. Needham, E. Commons and T. W. Hull, and several good prizes were awarded. It is interesting to note that four of the club’s members won the Military Medal, these being Thomas Bailey, Robert C. Whitmore, Robert Berrington and Samuel William Taylor. The two latter were killed in action.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 1st, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

TAYLOR – In loving memory of dear Will (Sergt. S. W. Taylor, M.M., 1/5th Leicesters), who fell in action September 29th, 1918.

“The memory of a noble life lives for ever.”

From Sarah.

TAYLOR – In loving memory of our dear friend, Will (Sergt. S. W. Taylor, M.M., 1/5th Leicesters), who fell in action September 29th, 1918.

“Sunshine passes, shadows fall,
But sweet remembrance outlasts all.”

From Mr and Mrs A. Wallam, and Daisy and Albert.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 30/6/2018