TAYLOR, Francis

Francis, or Frank, Taylor was born in Lye and his family lived at 30 Love Lane, Lye. He enlisted in the Worcesters, but probably when returning to service after injury, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Berkshires. After a long struggle on the Somme in 1916 they were able to advance to the Hindenburg Line early in 1917 and after re-training went to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres. They took part in the first day, leaving their trenches at 3.50 a.m. on the 31st July to attack the Bellewaerde ridge. After the attack on Westhoek on the 16th August they left the front line and returned when the advance had reached the village of Passchendaele in November. To improve their position a minor attack was carried out on the ridge on the 2nd December. It was successful but entailed some casualties, among whom was Private Frank Taylor. He was 23 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Lye and Wollescote and Lye church Memorials.