Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Josiah Taylor, a carpenter and joiner, born 1863 in Syston, Leicestershire, and who was baptised on the 29th November 1863 in Syston and his wife Adah Taylor (nee Adcock, married in the 1st quarter of 1887 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), a wood worker, born 1857 in Syston. Josiah Richard Neville, a schoolboy was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Syston, his siblings were, Robert Charles, a schoolboy, born 1889, Harry, a schoolboy, born 1895 and Gladys Mary Frances, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Syston, in March 1901 the family home was at High Street, Syston. In the 4th quarter of 1910 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Josiah’s father died aged 47. In April 1911 Josiah was absent from the family home at St. Peters Street, Syston, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, Robert, an auxiliary postman, Harry, a clerk and Gladys, a schoolgirl, Josiah was engaged as a school teacher and was residing as a boarder at 440, Holdenhurst Road, Springbourne, Bournemouth, Hampshire.
The War Diary records: 24 May-16 – BUS-LES-ARTOIS. 5.00pm. Relieved 15th WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT in trenches. Front line from K.29.c.98 to K.35.a.03. The 13th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT on our right, the 11th EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT on our left.
The War Diary records: 25 May-16 - BUS-LES-ARTOIS. 2nd Lieutenant A. HOULT 9th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT joined for duty. 2nd Lieutenant S. D. HOLBROOK 9th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (attached 3rd EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT) joined for duty.
The War Diary records: 26 May-16 – BUS-LES-ARTOIS. 6.00am to 9.30pm. Trenches rather heavily bombarded, and several casualties occurred. Total casualties during tour in trenches (24.5.16 to 29.5.16) 2nd Lieutenant R. N. TAYLOR killed. 2nd Lieutenant J. HIRST wounded (slightly). Other ranks killed or died of wounds 21. Other ranks wounded 54.
The War Diary records: 28 May-16 - BUS-LES-ARTOIS. 2nd Lieutenant C. G. C. MONCRIEFF joined for duty from 9th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. Other ranks struck off strength. 8 posted to 8th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. 8 wounded and sick to England. 1 for munition work to England.
The War Diary records: 29 May-16 – BUS-LES-ARTOIS. 7.00pm. Relieved by 10th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. Arrived here by route march about 3½ miles. Encamped in wood J.26.a.93. Found working parties and continued special training.
On Friday June 2nd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – SYSTON. – DEATH OF LIEUT. J. R. N. TAYLOR. A War Office message dated May 29th, records the death of another Syston youth in the person of 2nd Lieut. J. R. N. Taylor, of the E. Yorks Regt. He was killed in action on March 26th, somewhere in France. He was well known in the village as one of its most promising young men. He obtained a County Scholarship, and passed through the Barrow-on-Soar Grammar School with credit and distinction obtaining a first division in the London Matriculation at an early age. Afterwards he joined the staff of St. Paul’s School, Bournemouth, where he secured his certificate. On the outbreak of war he offered himself and joined as a private. He was early marked out for distinction, and received rapid promotion, being offered a commission before the Christmas of 1914. He proved himself a highly capable officer, and went out with his regiment to Egypt just before the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula. When the evacuation became an accomplished fact his regiment was sent to France. As a boy he was keenly interested in the Scout movement and was one of the early members of the first Syston troop. His death at the early age of 24 will be lamented by a large circle of friends, who will feel keen sympathy with his two brothers on active service, and his sister.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Lcpl. E Coy Royal Army Medical Corps

May 1915 reported in Syston Parochial Magazine: Congratulations to 2nd Lt. Richard Taylor. A former Sgt. in the Royal Army Medical Corps, ex-scholar of Syston Boys School who won a scholarship to Barrow Grammar School, promoted to 2nd Lt. Yorks & Lancs Regt.

In Memoriam - Having been commissioned in December 1915 he joined his regiment in Egypt after training. He transferred to France in March 1916 where he was killed by a high explosive shell on the 26th May.

Source P. Spooner 2015