Regimental number: 172344 Rank: Cpl., Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9553 – 53 Item: 272071, PDF;- B9553-SO53. Date of Birth 10/03/1889 at Chatham, ON. Son of Mr. Adam and Annie (mother / widower) Taylor of 48 Centre Street, Chatham, ON.  Attestation: 23/08/1915 at Toronto, ON to 5^th Divisional Signal Company.

A telegraph operator. A widower of  Eliza Emily Taylor. Attestation: 23/08/1915 at Toronto, ON to 5^th Divisional Signal Company. It was noted that William had a wife: Mrs. Eliza Emily Taylor at Great Falls,              Montana, USA. – WIFE. She would later to receive the “War Service Gratuity” then living at 1511 – 11^th Ave., West, Calgary, Alberta. ($64.00 + 116.00.)    

Apparent Age: 26 yrs. 5 mths., Height: 5’ 9 1/2’’, Girth: 40”, Weight: 161 #, Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown, – Scar ½” centre of forehead. Medical: 23/08/15 at Toronto, ON. “Fit”.   

Private Taylor enlisted in Toronto in 1915 as a private, but being an operator was transferred to the Signal Corps.

April 1 – 30 at 4^th Div. Signals – training depot 1916. Sept. 13/09/15 

Embarked from Canada aboard the S.S. Baltic 29/05/16 disembarked 30/05/16. Transferred to 4 th. Div. reduced from Sgt. to Cpl. at Bramshott. Disembarked at Havre 12/08/16 . Reported that William was promoted to Cpl. 12/10/16 – – Field.

In 1916 he crossed to England and three months later proceeded to Belgium as Corporal, then to France, serving with No.2 Signal Section of the 10th Infantry Battalion.

11/08/16 Proceeded for service – reduced to Sapper 14/07/16. 22/07/16 Appointed acting Sgt. KIA-15/11/16. Proceeded overseas 11/08/16 – he was Confirmed CPL.   

While repairing communication lines between Courcellette and Lasairs, on the Somme, Nov. 15, 1916, he was killed in action.

TAYLOR Initials: W A Nationality: Canadian Rank: Corporal Regiment: Canadian Signal Corps Unit Text: 4th Canadian Div. Signal Coy. Age: 27 Date of Death: 15/11/1916 Service No: 172344 Additional information: Son of Adam Taylor, of Chatham, Ontario; husband of Eliza Emily Taylor, of Barons, Alberta. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. D. 25. Cemetery: ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT, Somme, France 

Memorial  Cross (Mother) Mrs Annie Taylor 9/09/20, Mr. Adam Taylor (father) Memorial Scroll: 21/04/21 and the Memorial Plaque 2/12/20 

“WILL”- To mother: Mrs. Annie Taylor, 48 Centre St., Chatham, ON.   A Separation Allowance went to Mrs William A, Taylor, Great Falls, Montana, USA. – WIFE.  Paid: $64.00 + $116.00 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (01-12-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), St. Andrews United Church - Roll of Honour - Chatham, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9553 - 53, LAC, CVWM
Supplemental Information	Age: 27 Date of Death: 15/11/1916 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. D. 25. Cemetery: ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT Father: Adam Taylor, Chatham Mother. Mrs. A. Taylor

Height	5' 9 1/2"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	26 yrs. 5 mths.
Complexion	Fresh
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	10/03/1889 at Chatham, ON.
Religion	Prebysterian
Last Place of Employment	Canadian Pacific Railway
Average Earnings	100/mth
Marital Status	married
When Enlisted	Aug. 1915
Where Enlisted	Toronto, ON

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