Research by John Newell, 2007

Harold Taylor was born in 1895 in Rushden the son of Albert and Sarah Taylor.
Albert and Sarah lived at 49 Sartoris Rd, Rushden. Albert was a carpenter.

Harold enlisted in 1914. He was a boot and shoe worker. In 1915 he married Susan Clark, sister of Sarah Clark the wife of Charles Alfred Dilley. They had a son Herbert. Susan remarried John Osbourne.

Earlier Susan & Sarah's brother, Albert Clark, had died whilst serving with the Suffolk Regiment.

When he enlisted at Northampton on 24th Jun 1916, he was a reservist having earlier served with the 2/4th Northamptonshire Regiment. He wanted to join the R.A.M.C. and was aged 20, working in the shoe trade, 5'5¼" tall, 34" chest (2" expansion), living at 99 Cromwell Road with his wife Susan (nee Clark) whom he had married at Wellingborough Register Office. Their son Herbert had been born 20th July 1915 at Higham Ferrers. He was sent with the Expeditionary Force to Boulogne on 11th February 1917 where he joined the 6th Bn Northants Regt in the field on 13th February 1917. He was wounded on 3rd May 1917 and suffered from shell shock, but discharged on 28th May and rejoined his battalion on 1st June 1917. Two days later he was wounded again and suffered shell shock.

Rushden Echo, Friday 17 August 1917, transcribed by John Collins

Rushden Soldier’s Death - A Sadly Bereaved Family

Private Harold Taylor - Shot in the Head
It is with regret that we report that Mrs. Taylor, of 99 Cromwell-road, has received news of the death of her husband, 19650 Pte. Harold Taylor of the Northants Regiment.

The first intimation of the sad event Mrs. Taylor received was contained in a letter from the Rev. F. G. Walmsley who wrote under date August 7th as follows: “I am very sorry to tell you that your husband, Pte. H. Taylor (Northants) was brought to this hospital on Sunday morning, August 5th, after being shot in the head, causing a fractured skull. Everything possible was done for him, but his condition was hopeless and he passed peacefully away the same day at 7.30 p.m. I visited him soon after admission. He was unconscious all the time. I got your address from his pay-book and from a letter of yours that was on him so as to be able to write you, though, of course, you will hear officially. I saw him again at 7 p.m. and commended his soul to God. I laid his body to rest yesterday in Mendinghem Military Cemetery. If you write to the G.R.U. (War Office), Winchester House, St James’ Square, London, they will, if possible, give you a photograph of his grave. Mention date and place of burial with his name. With the help of God, try and be as brave as you can in your great sorrow, as he was, and for his sake.

Official confirmation of the late Pte. Taylor’s death was received last Tuesday. Deceased was 22 years of age and leaves a widow and one child to mourn their loss. Before enlistment he was employed at the C.W.S. Boot Works, Rushden, and had two periods of service to his credit. He joined the Colours first in October following the outbreak of war, and was discharged from the army with rheumatism the following Easter. He was called up for re-examination in June 1916 and being passed fit was sent to France in January this year.

Mrs. Taylor’s brother, the late Pte. Albert Clark, of the Suffolk Regiment was killed on Easter Monday this year, as reported in the “Rushden Echo” at the time, and there are three other brothers serving, viz. Pte. William Clark, of the Royal Fusiliers, and Pte. Frank Clark (Northants Regt.) who are in France, and Pte. James Clark of the Training Reserve who is in England.

Mrs Taylor’s brother-in-law, the late Sergt. C. Dilley, of the Northants Regt. was killed in action exactly twelve months ago tomorrow, as previously reported in the “Rushden Echo”.

Rushden Casualties

Gunner Walter Charles Taylor, of the R.F.A., has been killed in action. His wife, Mrs Taylor, of 13 Pytchley-road, Rushden, received the sad news recently. Gunner Taylor was 29 years of age, and leaves two children under five years of age. He was formerly employer by Messrs. Duncan and Davison, Rushden, and resided at Irchester. He joined up in January of this year, and was the son of Mr Albert Taylor, carpenter of Sartoris-road, Rushden, who has recently suffered a similar bereavement, Pte Harold Taylor having fallen in action two months ago. Mr Albert Taylor has two other sons serving. The deceased soldier's officer sent a very kind letter to the widow, paying high tribute to the deceased soldier's qualities.

In Memoriam

TAYLOR - In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte Harold Taylor, Northants Regt., who died of wounds on Aug. 5, 1917.
From his sorrowing wife, 99 Cromwell-road, Rushden.