Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Vincent Taylor, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 28th February 1864 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Taylor (nee Broadwell, formerly Kimber, married in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1853 in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire. Bristol Albert was born in the 1st quarter of 1887 in Sileby, his siblings were, Polly, a schoolgirl, born 1884 and Theresa, born 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Sileby, also residing in the family home were Bristol’s half blood siblings, Ann Elizabeth Kimber, a Griswold knitter, born 1873 and baptised on the 17th November 1873 in the Sileby Parish Church, Celia Kimber, a general servant, born 6th May 1879 and baptised on the 26th October 1879 in the Sileby Parish Church and Herbert Kimber, a schoolboy, born 13th June 1880 and baptised on the 3rd October 1881 in the Sileby Parish Church, all his half blood siblings were born in Sileby, in April 1891 the family home was at Angel Yard, Church Lane, Sileby. In March 1901 Bristol was employed as a shoe trade machinist and was residing in the family home at Church Lane South, Sileby, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Polly, a Griswold knitter, Leonard Alfred born in the 2nd quarter of 1892 and Florence, born 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Sileby. In April 1911 Bristol was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at Church Lane, Sileby, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Leonard, a shoe trade worker and Florence, a shoe trade worker. Bristol’s mother Mary, had married Thomas Kimber in the 2nd quarter of 1873 in the Lutterworth, Leicestershire district, Thomas was an agricultural labourer, born 1853 in Markfield, Leicestershire, they had the following children, Ann Elizabeth, Edwin, born 1876 in Sileby and baptised on the 1st January 1877 in the Sileby Parish Church, Celia, and Herbert, Thomas died aged 31 in August 1882 and was interred on the 21st August 1882 in Sileby. Bristol first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th July 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. His younger brother Leonard fell in action in May 1917.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - During the night the enemy rushed forward his field and heavy guns and in the early morning he opened an intense bombardment of the RED LINE, PEIZIERE and the YELLOW LINE, under a heavy barrage he attacked the RED LINE but was driven off. 10.00am. About this hour news was received that the enemy had captured ST. EMILIE and the southern edge of EPEHY and the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had been ordered to form a defensive flank on the EPEHY – SAULCOURT ROAD, to combine with this and to cover the right rear of PEIZIERE a second defensive flank facing south was made with every available man from Battalion HQ between YELLOW SUPPORT LINE and CHAUFOURS WOOD. 11.00 am. As it was seen that the enemy were entering EPEHY in force from the south the two Tanks were ordered forward to check his advance and if possible clear EPEHY. The enemy retired on seeing their approach, and they report having inflicted heavy casualties. Unfortunately they were running short of petrol and as the engines required repairs they were unable to proceed further and attempting to withdraw to SAULCOURT both were knocked out. 12.00 noon. About this hour orders were received to withdraw the Battalion behind to BROWN LINE and concentrate at LONGAVENES. 12.15 pm. Orders were issued for the withdrawal, up to this hour Captain VANNER M.C. was still holding the RED LINE and driving off every attack made on it. After the withdrawal of his Company he waited to superintend the demolition of both bridges over the cutting. This was successfully carried out. The withdrawal of the Battalion and the extrication of the posts in PEIZIERE was a matter of some difficulty as by the time of the receipt of the order by the Companies the enemy was in occupation of EPEHY and firing in from the north. The withdrawal was made under heavy machine gun fire from the south east and north east and a considerable number of casualties were incurred during it. 3.30 pm. Battalion reorganised in valley just north of LONGAVESNES and received orders to march to AIZECOURT LE HAUT. 6.00 pm. Battalion arrived and went into camp. Men had a hot meal.
On Friday May 24th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – OFFICIAL LOCAL CASUALTIES. – From yesterday’s lists:- Killed: Leicestershire Regt. – Taylor, 11940 B. (Sileby).