Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, near Albert.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 1 January 1917

Bombardier Taylor Gassed and Wounded. We regret to state that Mrs Taylor of 55 New Street has received a telegram from the Record Office of the Royal Artillery stating that her son, Bombardier F J Taylor, is lying dangerously ill at a London Casualty Clearing Station in France, suffering from gas poisoning and wounds and that permission to visit him cannot be granted. We trust favourable news will shortly be received.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 8 January 1917

Roll of Honour. As stated briefly in our Special Edition of Saturday Mr & Mrs Taylor of Rosario, 55 New Street, have received news that their son, Bombardier F J Taylor of the Royal Artillery who was admitted to the 2/2 London Casualty Clearing Station suffering from gas poisoning and wounds has died from his injuries. The parents have also received the following letter from the Sister in Charge "Dear Mrs Taylor, I have to send you the saddest news of your son, Bombardier F Taylor. He was brought into the 2/2 London Casualty Clearing Station on 28 December badly poisoned by a gas shell. We did all we could but he passed away the next day. He was too ill and collapsed to send you any message. He will be laid to rest in the Grove Town Military Cemetery and there will be a cross to mark his resting place. I am so sorry to have to send you this distressing letter. With sincere sympathy, W B TICE. Sister in Charge 2/2 London Casualty Clearing Station. 30 December 1916". Bombardier Taylor, who was in his 20th year, was an Old Boy of St Marks Boys Brigade and for some time was employed at A de Gruchy & Co. and previous to enlisting he also served on permanent duty with the 3rd Battalion RMIJ. The parents have our sincere sympathy in their bereavement.

There is also a Letter to the Editor which reads "To the Editor of the Evening Post. Sir, It is with much sorrow we hear of the death of another of our Old Boys in the person of Bombardier F Taylor. Fred was very popular in the Company, especially in the band of which he was an efficient member, and in which at one time he took great interest. He was very keen at anything he took in hand and was of a very happy disposition and from correspondence received looked back with thankfulness to the days spent in his old Corps. On behalf of the officers, NCOs and Cadets we tender our sincere sympathy to his bereaved parents and family. J W HAMLING, Captain. 2 Les Vaux Villas. 7 January 1917".

 

Bombardier Frederick James Taylor
178th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
29/12/1916

Son of Fredrick Charles and Ellen Taylor, of 55, New St., St. Helier, Jersey

Died of wounds, aged 19 years.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Wednesday 17 January 1917

The Late Bombardier Taylor. The parents of Bombardier Taylor who was recently killed in action, have received the following letter of condolence from the Captain of their late son's Battery. It reads "8 Jan 1917. To Mrs Taylor, Rosario, New Street. Dear Madam, I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son, Bombardier Taylor, died on 29 December from gas poisoning while in the performance of his duty as telephonist for the Battery. He is a great loss to us all, being always cheerful and ready for any work or duty which entailed risk and danger. I always took him as my own telephonist when going into the trenches so you can be sure I valued him very highly. Assuring you of the deepest sympathy of the officers and men of the Battery. I am dear Madam,
Yours faithfully,
H B BAVISTOR, Captain RFA".

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record