Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant William Taylor
476129 Royal Engineers
William Taylor was born in 1890 at Tanyfron, Vron Hill, Brymbo, Denbighshire the son of William Taylor, a roller guide bar iron worker from Bersham, Southsea, Denbighshire and his wife Margaret (nee Jackson) from Brymbo, Wales. In 1891 the family was living in Brymbo but, by 1901, had moved to Warrington, Lancashire (as it was then - only moving to Cheshire in 1974). It seems that William was an only child. In 1911 the family was living at Rose Cottage, Franklin Road, Jacksdale and William Junior was employed as an architect’s assistant.
William enlisted at Sheffield in May 1914, aged 24. He was 5ft 6ins in height and had been employed as a surveyor with the Sheffield firm of architects Gibbs, Flockton & Leather, responsible for the design of several prominent buildings and churches in the Sheffield area. William was mobilized in August 1914. However, in September 1914, he contracted pleurisy and pneumonia caused by ‘mobilization through rough accommodation’. He was sent back to his parents’ home in Franklin Road, Jacksdale and Drs. Pounden & Boreham of Ironville House, Ironville attended himwhilst he was on sick leave, from September 1914 to February 1915. He was also treated at the Royal Hospital, Sheffield on several occasions as an outpatient. He had not suffered with the condition prior to joining up. Once back on active duty, William carried out clerical (stores and supplies) duties in the UK. Despite his ill-health, William enjoyed a successful time with the army, being promoted to full corporal in June 1915 and full sergeant in October of that year. He was further promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 (Acting RQMS - paid) in August 1918. He was disembodied from the army in 1919 due to various health problems namely tachycardia, shortness of breath and dilated heart which were all attributed to him having contracted pneumonia in 1914. He was awarded a bounty of £15 0s 0d.
William’s father died in February 1920 aged 57 years and is buried at Ironville, Christchurch with his wife Margaret who died in Norwich in August 1939, aged 70. The inscription reads “We which have believed do enter into rest.” Marble headstone with kerbs. (Stonemason: Holbrook & Co.)
It is not known what became of William Jnr.