TAYLOR Herbert Harold

Herbert was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in 1887. He attended the West End State School in Brisbane.

Private, Herbert Harold Taylor, enlisted on 28 August 1916 in Brisbane with the 26th Infantry Battalion.

Herbert was described as being 30 years old, married with two children, a clerk living at Monmouth Street, Morningside, Brisbane, 5 feet 5½ inches tall, blue eyes, brown hair, medium complexion, and of the Methodist faith. He gave his wife, Mrs. Nellie Taylor as his next of kin.

On the 12th January 1917 he made a will leaving everything to his dear wife Nellie Taylor and that she maintain and educate in a manner suitable to their station in life his two children

Herbert’s unit embarked on 7 February 1917 from Sydney, New South Wales on A18 HMAT Wiltshire. He disembarked at Devonport on 11 April 1917.

He proceeded overseas to France on 17 October 1917.
Taken on strength Belgium 24 October 1917.
Killed in action, Belgium 22 December 1917.

Buried Bethlehem Farm West Cemetery (Row A Grave 34), Messines, Belgium. Headstone inscription reads: Only one life 'twill soon be past only what's done for Jesus will last. War Service: Western Front.

On 10 March 1918, his wife Nellie was granted a fortnightly pension of £2.

Children
Harold Robert Alexander Taylor.
Agnes Gertrude Taylor.

BALMORAL - The Daily Mail, Brisbane 5 February 1918.

The Morningside Methodist Church was the scene of a very impressive memorial service held on behalf of the late Private H. H. Taylor, who was killed in action in France on December 22 last. The church choir, under Mr. P. Meggitt, rendered the hymn “Son of My Soul,” and also “The Australian Hymn for the Dead,” Mr. S. D. Fletcher officiating as organist. The Rev. Mr. Leembruggen preached in sympathetic reference to the deceased soldier, who had enlisted whilst a resident of Morningside, early in 1917. From his early youth Private Taylor had taken particular enjoyment in Bible study and had always been an earnest and enthusiastic church worker, and at the age of 15 years he was conducting church services at Palmwoods. He also held the offices of junior circuit steward at Wynnum, and superintendent of the Sunday school and conductor of the choir, besides various other offices. Two brothers had also given their services to the Empire, his eldest brother having given his life. Private Taylor was at the time of his enlistment a member of the Balmoral Rifle Club, and was a keen athlete. He leaves a widow with two children. There were present at the service many members of the Rifle Club, and the service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

Herbert's brother Robert Stanley Taylor, No.2006 was also killed in action at Gallipoli on 7 August 1915 while serving with the 15th Battalion.

PARENTS

Son of Robert and Mary Taylor (nee ADCOCK).

In the Queensland Electoral Roll of 1903, 1905, 1906 his father Robert Taylor was enrolled as a fruit grower at Palmwoods and in 1903 as a jam manufacturer in Palmwoods

Robert died on 20 December 1944. (The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 January 1945).

They had three sons – who enlisted in the Great War, Horace Joseph Taylor, No. 204. Two were killed in action, Robert Stanley Taylor No. 2006 and Herbert Harold Taylor No. 6627 and two daughters Ida and Queene Taylor.

Australian War Memorial Panel 109

The Daily Mail, Brisbane 5 February 1918.