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WW1
Taylor Albert James Gerard
He was born 28th February 1897 to Albert and Isabella Emily Taylor (nee Jeffrey) a printer who embarked Melbourne 24th November 1915 on board RMS Orontes with the 15th Infantry Battalion.
He was awarded the military medal 26th April 1917 “For personal bravery and great intrepidity and enterprise as a scout and patrol leader during operations E of GUEUTECOURT between February 9th and 20th 1917. This soldier led several very daring reconnaissances right into enemy trenches a considerable distance in front of our lines and formed one of a party making daylight reconnaissances in ‘NO MANS LAND’ right along enemy wire and remaining right under enemy wire all day gaining information which proved of good value. His general conduct is good and a good example to his fellow scouts” A group of soldiers were sitting at 47th Battalion headquarters on the 12th October 1917 when a German shell landed amongst them killing many including Pte Taylor. He is commemorated in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. LETTER FROM GENERAL BIRDWOOD. Mrs. Taylor, of 77 Goulburn Stree, Hobart is in receipt of the following letter from General Birdwood : - "Australian Corps, B.E.F.. France, 26th February 1918.-Dear Mrs. Taylor, I have only recently received your letter regarding your brave boy, who was in our 47th Battalion and in whose loss I sympathise with you so deeply. The newspaper cutting which you sent me, and which I return, as I think you will wish to keep it does refer to your boy and his brother scouts in the same regiment, for, as you probably know, he was employed as a scout, and attached to battalion headquarters. It was in our fighting on Broodseinde Ridge (east of Ypres) that he was killed and he was buried on the battlefield by his comrades. A record of the location of his grave has been preserved. His personal effects have been forwarded to the base and will be despatched to you in due course. I know what a very fine boy he was for I remember presenting him with the ribbon of his Military Medal, which I he so fully deserved for his good work near Gueutecourt in February of last year. He displayed conspicuous bravery, fearlessness and initiative as a scout and patrol leader during those operations. He led several very daring reconnaissances right into enemy trenches a considerable distance in front of our lines. On one occasion, he formed one of a party making daylight reconnaissances in 'No Man's Land," remaining under the enemy wirr all day and gaining information which proved of considerable value. He displayed the same high qualities in his last fighting and his commanding officer regarded him as one of his best scouts. His Military Medal has been returned to our office in London and I hope you will receive it very soon now. You may rightly be proud of your boy's splendid record. I realise what a real good son he must have been and all his loss means to you and it is indeed sad to think that all this sacrifice has been caused by these Germans. I do trust that it will afford you some comfort in your great sorrow to know how gallantly your boy fought and gave his life in defending the cause of right and liberty against this German menace. With my kind regards, yours sincerely, W. N. Birdwood." The Mercury 26th April 1918
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