The Kirstead Taylors Part 5
The Kirstead
Taylors
A Newspaper cutting
'Kirstead Family Don Khaki', a captioned photograph montage of the six Taylor
brothers in uniform, the sons of Mrs. Mary Ann Taylor and the late James Taylor
of 42 Kirstead Ling, Brooke, Norwich. Three of the brothers were killed in June
- July 1916, and are remembered on the Kirstead Green War Memorial.
Mary Ann Taylor (1886- ) was born on October 20, 1886 in Kirstead, Norfolk, England the eight child of James Taylor and Mary Ann Powles. She was baptized in the Church of England in the Kirstead Parish Church on November 21, 1886. Very little is known about Mary Ann aside from the information gleaned from the few records available. She appears in the 1891 census and at 4 years old is still living at home. By 1901, at age 14, she was living at the home and working as a domestic servant for Frederick J. G. Chapman, who was a local miller and grain merchant living in the Mill house in the Loddon district of Norwich. The 1911 census showed a Mary Taylor, age 26, working as a chocolate worker and living in the boarding home of Edward Randell and his family at 34 Northumberland Street, Norwich.
Mary Ann was identified in the list of next-of-kin for her brothers, who were killed in action during World War I. As late as December 1917, she was living at 3 Healey Street, Kentish Town, London, England. She was 33 years of age and was not married at that time. It is not known when and where Mary Ann Taylor died. She does not appear in the 1939 Register under the birth date shown on her baptismal record of the Parish Church in Kirstead. She may have married late or emigrated, but information about her is not currently available after 1917.
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Albert William Taylor (1888-1916), (shown in the photo montage of the Taylor boys, lower, right) was born on June 4, 1888 in Kirstead, Norfolk, England as the ninth child of James Taylor and Mary Ann Powles. He was baptized on July 1, 1888 in the same parish church as the rest of his siblings. In 1901, at the age of 12, he was working as an agricultural labourer along with his older brothers James and George. His older brothers Herbert, John and Walter were already working and living outside the home. By 1911, at the age of 23, Albert and his older brother George were still living at home with their parents and working on a local farm. Younger brother Ernest, 18, was also working alongside his brothers.
On November 24, 1914, Albert William Taylor enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment. At that time he was 26 years and 5 months old. He stood 5 ft. 8-3/4 in. tall, and weighed 136 lbs. The years he spent working on the farm made him physically fit and ideal for service in the military.
His unit was deployed as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on May 25, 1915. On August 17, 1915 he was attached to the 6th Entrenching Battalion. By November 6, 1915, he was complaining about inflammation being caused by rheumatoid arthritis and was discharged to light duty and rejoined the 6th Entrenching Battalion. On January 29, 1916 he was reassigned to the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in preparation for offensive operations in the Somme
Here is an extract from the battalion diary of the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment of life on the battlefield in France during the Great War. (Extracts from the Battalion Diary are shown in italics below).
April 9th to 12th—On the morning of the 10th, an enemy’s mine went up in the front line, causing casualties to our fatigue party –3 killed and 2 gassed, also several casualties to the 184th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. We were relieved on the night of the 12th by the 12th Gloucester Regiment . . . and went back to billets at AGNEZ-LES-DUISANS.
April 13th to 20th—Battalion in billets at AGNEZ-LES-DUISANS. Wet weather during the whole period, and were unable to do much training. On the morning of the 18th, the Battalion were inspected by Brigadier General Turner, Commanding 15th Brigade. 2nd Lieutenant R.G.M. Davies joined for duty on the 18th. 1st Cheshires in the semi-final of the 15th Brigade inter-company football competition on the 19th. This leaves ‘D’ Company, Cheshires and ‘D’ Company, 1st Battalion, Bedfords in the final of this competition.
April 21st to 24th—On the night of the 20th-21st, we relieved the 15th Royal Warwicks in the J1 firing line. River SCAPPE on our right and the 1st Battalion, Bedfords on our left. 7th King’s Rifle Regiment (14th Division) on our right.
Life on the battlefield was difficult and if alcohol was available, somebody found a way to get it to the soldiers on the battlefield. Keep in mind that they were fighting alongside the French forces, and wine was a daily part of the normal rations issued to the French soldiers. On April 15, 1916 Private Albert Taylor was caught by Second Lieutenant Martin being drunk while on parade formation. He was punished with 14 days forfeiture of pay.
June 2nd—10 a.m. Enemy bombarded trenches 93, 94, 95 and 96 with heavy trench mortars. A shell which failed to explode measured 3ft.-4 in long and 10 inches in diameter. It’s weight was estimated at between 200-250 lbs. A considerable amount of damage was done to our front trenches and support line. This was repaired during nights. Killed 4, Wounded 6.
June 3rd—12 noon. Enemy bombarded our trenches again, as yesterday. Damage again very considerable, especially to July Avenue. Killed 0, Wounded 4.
On June 4, 1916 the Germans began an offensive raid on the British trenches. Three mines were exploded beneath their trench after a three hour bombardment. (See map at the end of this story. In the subsequent attack the Norfolk's defensive fire was supported by artillery and the attack failed, no German reaching the firing line. From the Battalion Diary:
June 4th—10:30 a.m. Enemy started bombardment of our trenches as on previous two days. Fire trenches 93 and 94 became untenable and men had to be moved to the right to fire trench 92.
3 p.m.-5 p.m. Artillery bombardment along the front of J1, J2 and K1 subsectors.
9:17 p.m. Enemy exploded three enormous mines on our front line and one just to centre left of our line and immediately attacked. The direction of the enemy attack was along the ARRAS-BAILLEUL ROAD. ‘C’ Company on the right and ‘D’ Company in the centre soon had their men in position and fire was immediately opened on the enemy by them two companies. The 123rd Battalion, Royal Field Artillery shelled in front of our line where the mine craters were with shrapnel. A few of the enemy managed to enter our obstacle line, some started to bomb a disused trench between our obstacle trench and 95 fire trench and one small party came over by the crater opposite No. 97 fire trench. But no enemy reached our firing line. The enemy alarmed at the reception soon fled leaving behind a considerable amount of bombs and other material.
10 p.m. All was quiet on our line. Posts were sent up to occupy the near lips of the craters. Lieutenants G.P. Burlton, L. Edwards, & L. J. Row were missing.
10:10 p.m. The 1st Cheshire Regiment continued the relief, and the battalion returned to rest at AGNEZ
Killed 21, Wounded 25, Missing 19.
On June 4, 1916, Private Albert William Taylor was killed in action. He was most likey killed in the enormous trench explosions in the morning of June 4th. He died in battle near Roclincourt, France. He is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, Pas de Calais, France. The 1st Battalion was part of the 5th Division, holding the line in front of Arras from March 1916 until the second phase of the Battle of the Somme.
The 4th of June was Albert’s 28th
birthday. Albert would be the first casualty of the war for the children of Mary Ann Powles and her children.
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