Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John William Taylor (Junior), a bell founder, born 1854 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and Annie Mary Taylor (nee Bardsley, married in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1862 in Sherwood, Nottinghamshire. John William was born on the 26th March 1885 in Loughborough. In April 1891 John was absent from the family home at Bell Foundry House, Freehold Street, Loughborough, residing there was his father, a bell founder, his mother and siblings, Josephine, born 1889, Phyllis Mary, born 1890 and Pryce, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, John was residing at Meadow Lane, Loughborough, this being the family home of his maternal Grandfather John Bardsley, who was living on his own means, born 1838 in Lenton, Nottinghamshire and his wife Mary Bardsley, born 1838 in Nottingham and their children, John Bradley, a banker’s clerk, born 1860 in Sherwood, Nottinghamshire, Helena Gertrude, born 1867 in Lenton and Arthur Edwin, a mechanical engineer, born 1869 in Nottingham. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at 53, Freehold Street, Loughborough, residing there was his father, a bell founder, his mother and siblings, Phyllis, Arnold Bradley, born in the 1st quarter of 1894 and Gwendoline, born 1895, John was residing together with his elder brother Gerard Bardsley, born 12th May 1886 in Loughborough, as boarders and grammar school pupils at Cann Rectory, Shaftsbury, Dorset. In the 3rd quarter of 1904 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district, John’s mother died aged 43. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at 53, Freehold Street, Loughborough, residing there was his father, a bell founder, his step mother Edith Taylor (nee Lea, married in 1909 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1876 in Manchester, Lancashire and his siblings, Josephine, Arnold, a bell founder and Pryce, a bell founder. John John was a Bsc. (London). Two of his brothers also died, Gerard Bardsley died of wounds received in action and Arnold Bradley was killed in action, his other brother, Lieutenant Pryce Taylor survived the war.
John enlisted on the 28th July 1915 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, he gave his date of birth as the 26th March 1885, his trade or calling as teamster and his next of kin as his father, Mr. J. W. Taylor of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. He stated that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4½ inches in height and had a chest measurement of between 34½ to 38 inches, his complexion was described as clear, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was sandy. It was noted that he had a scar on the back of his neck. He gave his religion as Church of England.
The War Diary records: 15 Sept-16 – POZIERES. A detailed report on the operations carried out by the Battalion on this date is attached. + (Appendix 6).
Also a copy of Battalion Daily Orders No.250, dated September 17th, which embodies list of casualties.
Congratulatory letter, received from General Officer Commanding, 2nd Canadian Division, on work carried out by the Battalion this date.
60 Other ranks, reinforcements, joined Battalion.
1.00k. Clear moonlight night. Artillery fire lying down C.M.R. platoon moves out. Sergeant TURNER “C” Company goes out with severe abdominal wound.
3.00k. Visit Battalion Headquarters.
6.20k. Zero hour. Attack begins. Terrific Artillery bombardment, German guns reply in a few minutes.
7.00k. Wounded beginning to come in, chiefly walking cases. We cannot get stretchers into dug-out and dress lying cases in trench and in the open.
7.30k. We attend to a batch of 20 wounded German prisoners, including 1 officer. My batman is killed by a piece of shell.
8.00k. R.A.P. and adjoining trench filled with severely wounded men. I send message to Field Ambulance and Brigade Headquarters for carrying parties.
12.00k. Carrying parties from 29th Battalion has cleared our wounded. More continue to arrive.
14.00k. Captain ROSS, No.6 Field Ambulance, arrives with stretcher squad. Several severe stretcher cases are on hand. 6th Field Ambulance squad takes two.
18.00k. Very intense hostile shelling. Canadian Corps has reached all first objectives. 5th and 7th Brigades are pushing attack into COURCELETTE and on left towards MOUQUET FARM. Trench entrance to R.A.P. dug-out blown in by shell.
18.00k. Constant stream of wounded, chiefly from 42nd Battalion, 7th Brigade.
20.00k. Stretcher squads have not returned. Have sent message to this effect. We dig out and clean entrance to dug-out.
APPENDIX No.6
31st (Alberta) Battalion, C.E.F.
Report of Operations of 31st Battalion, September 14th to 16th 1916.
At 9.30pm on the night of the 14th/15th, the Battalion Headquarters moved to dug-out, shared with 28th Battalion on CENTRE WAY, near Point 77, the remainder of the Battalion following;- “A” and “B” Companies taking their positions of assembly with the 27th Battalion, and three platoons of “C” Company with the 28th Battalion. The remaining five platoons and Battalion Sections were placed for the night in the TRAMWAY TRENCH.
At 3.00pm the Battalion Machine Gun Officer (Lieutenant P. M. HOLDEN) moved out with his section and placed his four Colt Guns in positions, in rear of our front line, from which they would be able to move up and occupy it as soon as the advance started.
The Zero hour was fixed at 6.20am on the 25th (sic) instant and at exactly this time the first wave was seen to go over our parapet, the remainder following as arranged.
As my Battalion was very much scattered, I can only give an intelligible account by taking the various parties in detail.
“A” Company (Attached to 27th Battalion):
Three platoons of this Company (Mopping-up party) formed the second intermediate wave, following the first wave of the attached at a distance of ten yards. The fourth platoon acting as Carrying Party and following the Reserve Company. The objective of this Company was the GERMAN FRONT LINE, where it was to mop-up and consolidate. This was carried out, a new trench being dug between 30 and 40 yards in from the OLD GERMAN FRONT LINE. As Major H. M. SPLANE, the Officer Commanding Company, was killed and all Company Officers either killed or wounded, very early in the operations, the command of the Company fell to Company Sergeant Major G. LAWSON, who carried out the work in a highly creditable manner.
“B” Company (Attached to 27th Battalion).
3 Platoons, 2nd Intermediate Wave, (Mopping-up Party) following first wave at a distance of thirty yards, one platoon carrying party. The objective of this Company was the SUNKEN ROAD.
Lieutenant W. D. FRIEND, the only wounded surviving Officer of the Company reported as follows:-
“On reaching SUNKEN ROAD we found an enemy communication trench running along the West Bank. No enemy were to be found in the trench or on the road. We then collected all available tools and commenced to make the trench habitable, by cleaning out the debris caused by artillery fire. When this was completed we extended the trench about fifty yards in the direction of COURCELETTE. We then dug a trench across the road, forming a block which gave us command of the road in the event of enemy counter attack. This work was completed about 10.00am in spite of heavy enemy artillery fire and active sniping. At 11.00am the Officer Commanding Company was killed by High Explosive. I then took command of the Company. The enemy continued to bombard us heavily with High Explosive shrapnel, and several times we were compelled to leave the trench and occupy shell holes where the bombardment was not so heavy. The bombardment continued until we were ordered to evacuate the trench at 5.30am on the 16th.
Conduct and morale of the whole of the men was excellent.”
“C” Company (less one platoon) attached to 28th Battalion.
This Company was detailed to furnish two platoons, 1st intermediate wave (Mopping-up Party) and one platoon carrying party.
The Company Commander Lieutenant E. F. PINKHAM, being killed and the other Officers of the Company killed or wounded early in the day, this Company was handled by Company Sergeant Major J. S. PARK, who reported as follows:-
“On arriving on objective I found I was in sole charge and sent in report, timed 8.15am. I immediately on arrival, set to work on consolidation about fifty yards in front of captured Front Line with remaining men of No.11 Platoon. I did not run across remainder, 9 and 10 Platoons until sometime later, and found they were mixed up along further objective line with 28th Battalion. On interviewing Captain BREDIN of 28th Battalion, he asked that remainder of 9 and 10 Platoons be left with him, owing to extra work ‘digging-in’ in new front line required, and possibility of a counter-attack. The enemy artillery were fairly quiet at this period and work of consolidation was pushed forward. After working about four hours the enemy began shelling near positions we were digging and I withdrew to German Communication Trench running parallel to SUNKEN ROAD flank, and from which we were running trench to right. At 5.00pm Lieutenant H. NORRIS, “D” Company, ordered that “C” Company be withdrawn to original jumping off trench and I have orders accordingly. At this time the PRINCESS PATRICIA’s CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY and 42nd Battalions were passing through trenches to effect a further attack on enemy trenches, and the task of withdrawal was a very difficult one, as also enemy were putting up a continuous and heavy barrage over ground to be traversed. This was accomplished however, without casualties, and we remained in jumping off trench until relieved. Our wounded were brought from shell holes to this trench during night, and were taken out thus am by Stretcher Bearing Parties.”
2 Platoons, “D” Company, detailed to follow up 27th Battalion and dig support trench.
Lieutenant H. NORRIS, in charge of this party, reports as follows:-
“I have the honour to report that at 6.15am on 15th instant I left TRAMWAY TRENCH and proceeded to GERMAN FRONT LINE. Owing to congestion in YARRA BEND, it was 6.45am before I entered ‘No Man’s Land’ with my command, consisting of two Officers and 42 other ranks. About twenty yards in front of enemy trench I observed a party of the 27th Battalion without Officers. I took command and rushed trench which had offered a stubborn resistance. I went on with my party, and stragglers from various units, to the final objective and, on satisfying myself that we held the position strongly, I withdrew party and proceeded to perform the task allotted, that of digging a support trench from R.35.a.6.3. to R.35.b.3.2. At about 10.00am I was informed that Major H. M. SPLANE, Lieutenant E. F. PINKHAM and Lieutenant E. T. TOOL had been killed, and I thereupon took command of all troops in sight. Notwithstanding an incessant enemy bombardment which lasted all day, it was obvious that we were masters of the situation. At about 2.00pm I sent a patrol of about twenty other ranks and a Lewis gun to reinforce three similar patrols holding a line at South East corner of COURCELETTE. I also despatched a party of ten other ranks to supplement casualties in gun crews of “B” Company. I got in touch with “B” Company and learned that, in spite of heavy shelling, they were firmly holding their position on SUNKEN ROAD. Acting on orders received, I withdrew all 31st troops from captured enemy front line, and was reinforced by a remnant of “B” Company at about 4.00am this day. I left trench about 5.15am and proceeded as ordered to X.15 area, leaving behind a strong party to assist wounded, under the direction of Lieutenant H. P. MORGAN who reported to me that all wounded were removed to Dressing Station.
I cannot speak too highly on the conduct of Company Sergeant Major N. APPLEBY and Lance Corporal E. BARNES, (Stretcher Bearer) who, by their total disregard for danger, and efficient work, were of the greatest assistance.”
Patrols:-
Three patrols, each under command of an Officer and consisting of thirty men with a Lewis gun, were detailed in operation orders to following the advance, and, as soon as the final objective was gained, pushed forward and established posts along the line R.30.a.6.1 to R.30.a.2.3. The right and centre patrols were furnished by “D” Company under Lieutenant’s G. H. SCOTT and L. B. YULE, respectively, and the left patrol by “C” Company, under Lieutenant J. MILLINGTON. These patrols reached Point 30, at South West corner of COURCELETTE and the roads which diverge from this point, but were there held up by our barrage, though some of the men entered the outskirts of the village. The centre and left patrols found their positions impossible to retain, both suffering rather heavily, the left patrol losing Lieutenant J. MILLINGTON, in charge, twice wounded and Sergeant J. W. BARCLAY, first wounded and then killed, and their Lewis gun was destroyed. They then joined with the centre patrol under Lieutenant L. B. YULE and moved to a line South West of Point 29. I quote Lieutenant SCOTT’s report of the operations of the right patrol in full, as I consider that he and his party did exceptionally good work:- “As Officer in charge of advanced patrol, I have the honour to report as follows:-
At 6.00am, 15-9-16 I left TRAMWAY TRENCH in with Lewis Gun crew and twenty one men, proceeded up COPSE AVENUE and SYDNEY TRENCH. At 6.25am I started overland and followed advancing waves. Our Lewis Gun was put out of action by a shell, but we secured another to replace it. I reached the SUNKEN ROAD at 7.05am and followed our barrage as close as possible to the village of COURCELETTE. While we were waiting for our barrage to lift we assisted as mopping-up party. When our barrage lifted we took up our position as instructed, our right flank resting on the line from the North of SUGAR FACTORY and VILLAGE CHURCH. Our left at a point about 50 yards from the village. While we were consolidating out post part of our patrol entered edge of village and bombed a line of deep dug-outs. We captured at this point 5 prisoners, including an Artillery Officer. I bade a party detailed to collect supplies from German Trenches, consisting of rations, bombs and flares, which we distributed along our post. Under Sergeant J. W. MUNCASTER our party took and killed Germans in one trench estimated at 150. On our left flank there was 300 yards of frontage not held. I sent for reinforcements and shovels, but, as our post was forward, no help reached us. We were subject to snipers while working and lost several men. A small party of Germans attempted to gain a footing in a trench at our left, but were easily driven back, leaving one killed. At 5.45am we were reinforced by 5th Brigade, and our patrol went forward with them and stayed until the attack was well through the village, when we withdrew and brought out our wounded. Our casualties were heavy, but we replaced them by men who had strayed from their Battalions.
I would like to mention, particularly Sergeant J. W. MUNCASTER for the part he took, also Sergeant L. H. ASHTON.”
In the afternoon, the patrols were reinforced with the object of establishing a line along the South side of the village, but, as the Southern outskirts were then occupied by the enemy, and the artillery fire was very heavy, they could not get further than Point 56, South of the town.
All the patrols were finally absorbed in the advance of the 5th Brigade.
Machine Gun Section:-
As soon as the attack moved off from our Front Line the four Colt Guns were placed in position in it. While carrying out this work, the Machine Gun Officer, Lieutenant P. M. HOLDEN, was wounded, and Sergeant J. A. PROFIT took charge of the section.
Scouts:-
A system of observation and transmission of information had been arranged by the Scout Officer, Lieutenant E. S. CONRAD. This Officer was, unfortunately killed soon after the advance commenced, but the section continued to do good work throughout the day.
Communications:-
Communication was mainly carried out by Battalion and Company Runners who had been organised by Lieutenant H. N. PETTY, Battalion Signal Officer and did very good work.
The names of Officers and other ranks specially recommended will follow shortly.
Signed A. W. Bell. Lieutenant Colonel.
Commanding 31st (Alberta) Battalion, C.E.F.
16th September 1916.