Name
Henry B Taylor
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/12/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
97217
Royal Army Medical Corps
19th Stat. Hosp.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PEMBA CEMETERY
C. 10.
Mozambique
Headstone Inscription
R.I.P.
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial
Pre War
Henry (Harry) Taylor was born in 1886 in Holborn, London to Thomas Taylor, labourer, and Susan (nee Pitthams).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Henry (a match hand) was living at 66, Devas Road, Bromley, London, also recorded were boarders Jim Burkett (born 1872, navvy), Emily (born 1878) and Mary A (born 1880) Read, both match hands.
On the 1911 Census Harry (a labourer) was living with his parents at 57, Devas Road, Bromley.
Henry married Marie Therese Frances Ludwig on 24 Nov 1912 at St John, Hackney, London : there would be two Daughters: Veronica Louise Ludwig Taylor (born 19 Aug 1913 )and Louise Henrietta Taylor (born 29 Sep 1915).
Husband of M. T. F. Taylor, of 69, Pix Rd., Letchworth, Herts.
Wartime Service
Henry enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 13 Mar 1916 as Gunner 70613. This was not his first choice, he had tried for the Royal Engineers but he would not be able to continue his trade (chemist) in that Corps.
He was posted to No 1 Depot RGA and promoted to Acting Bombardier on 28 Apr 1916 and Acting Corporal on 1 Jun 1916. Having reverted to Acting Bombardier on 19 Aug 1916, he was made Bombardier on 7 Dec 1916. He was examined by a Medical Board and graded as C3 on 21 Nov (confirmed on 20 Jan 1917) and was transferred to Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 97217 on 8 Dec 1916 and granted 5th Rate pay the next day. Henry was registered as a Dispenser on 21 Aug 1917 and was posted to East Africa Expeditionary Force 26 Aug 1917 serving at No 19 Stationary Hospital, at Port Amelia, Mozambique. Henry spent 6 Jan 1918 to 1 May 1918 in South Africa returning to Port Amelia on 2 May. He took ill and died on 8 Dec 1918, cause Influenza and Pneumonia (possibly Spanish Flu), and was buried at Pemba Cemetery.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £15 10s and arrears of £12 2s 2d was paid to his widow Marie, who also received a pension of 25s 5d/week. He was not found in the SDITGW records.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
