Name
James Taylor
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9530
The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 3-4
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
James was born in 1886 in Hitchin and christened in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin on 24 December 1886. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth Taylor (née Hoffman) who had married on 28 August 1880 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.
In 1891, before Ernest’s birth, the family were living at 11 Sunnyside, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Charles (30) and Elizabeth Taylor (34), with Charles working as a sawyer. Their children were listed as: Rose (9), Charles (8), George (7), James (5) and Harry (2). This must have been before 30 July, because on that date Charles was convicted to 4 months in St Albans jail. The handwriting is difficult to read but seems to be “Larceny xxx – possibly abbreviated acquitted?: conv (convicted) of felony”. He was described in the ‘Habitual Criminals Register’ as born in 1861 5’ 6 ¼” tall with light brown hair, blue eyes, a proportionate build, with an oval face and having a slight limp in his left leg. Apparently he was sometimes known as John and had 19 previous convictions.
In 1901 the family were living in Sunnyside, Hitchin, but now at number 14. Present were both parents, with George now listed as a sawyer’s labourer. Of the children listed above Rose and Charles were absent. George was 16 and working as a rose grower’s labourer, James was 15 and working as a horseman on a farm, they had been joined by William (11), Ernest (6), Noah (4) and Horace (3).
James married Esther Bloxham (b 12/3/1990) in 1909 in Hitchin and they had a son, James, in 1909.
In 1911 the James’ parents were still at number 14 Sunnyside, George again listed as a sawyer. The census recorded they had been married for 35 years with 8 children, all living. However with their daughter Rose, the various censuses suggest 9. The children still present were William, working as a labourer in a motor works, Ernest - 16 and a farm labourer, Noah (14) and Horace (12) – both at school.
James was absent and has not yet been found in the census, but his wife and child have. They were living just a few doors away as number 10 Sunnyside, Hitchin, with Esther’s parents, Frederick and Elizabeth Bloxham. Her husband’s name does appear on the entry but is crossed out with the note “Army not at home”. So he was already a soldier.
Officially recorded as born, living in Hitchin when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Ernest, Noah and James all have entries in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family members using what they knew and are not always 100% correct.
In the case of James there are perhaps doubts to some of its accuracy. It suggests that James was a serving soldier and that he went to France at the outbreak of the war and as a result was entitled to three medals: the General Service, Victory and the Mons Star.
He was certainly a serving soldier in 1911 and must have enlisted after 1901.so he could have been time expired by the start of the war. If he was serving at the declaration of war, then if he was in the UK it was very likely that he would have gone to France early – in fact the 1st Liverpool Regt. landed in Le Harve on 13 August 1914. However, despite the claim that he was due three medals, his medal cards do not record the Mons Star entitlement, so he may have gone later.
His entry also suggests that he fought in the Retreat from Mons, and the battles of Marne, Ypres, the Somme, Arras, Loos and Cambrai. This impressive list often appears in National Roll of the Great War entries, and is probably what the family believed, but to be sure, requires checking against the Battalion War Diary.
What is certainly true is that was reported missing and later presumed killed.
The Battalion was part of the 6th Brigade in the 2nd Division.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Panels 3 & 4 of the Vis-en-Artois Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £14 4s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Esther, on 17 January 1919. Later, another £28 7s 10d was approved on 31 January 1920, which included a war gratuity of £23 10s.
His pension cards record his widow Esther Taylor (b 12/3/1890) of 13 Sunnyside, Hitchin as his next of kin and records their child James (b 29/12/1909). She was awarded a grant of £6 on 18 July 1919 and then a pension of 20s 5d a week from 2 June 1919 for her and her child.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
