Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Sergeant C. F. Taylor, Suffolk Regiment, late Rifle Brigade, killed in action on the Somme, 16 September 1916

Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (4448 A/Cpl. C. Taylor. 2/R. Bde); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (4448 Pte. C. F. Taylor, Rifle Brigade) suspension slack; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4448 Pte. C. Taylor. Rifle Brigade.); 1914-15 Star (3.9842 Sjt. C. F. Taylor. Suff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-9842 Sjt. C. F. Taylor. Suff. R.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed as issued, Great War medals good very fine, contact marks to others nearly very fine (7) £400-500

Cecil Frederick Taylor was born in Ipswich in 1878. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, in the Sudan and during the Second Boer War. He was discharged having advanced to Corporal. He re-engaged for service during the Great War with the 9th (Service) Battalion Suffolk Regiment. He served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 30 August 1915. The 9th Battalion served as part of the 71st Brigade, 6th Division on the Somme from August 1916. Taylor was killed in action, 16 September 1916, and British Battalions on the Somme gives the following for the 9th Battalion, ‘Took over trenches from 4th Grenadier Guards south-east of Ginchy (11 September). With 2nd Notts and Derby attacked The Quadrilateral (13 September) - assault soon checked by machine gun fire. Further attempts made throughout day, but no gains made. Dug in about half a mile in front of start point. Casualties (both battalions) - 21 officers and some 500 other ranks. In support of 9th Norfolk during its attempt at The Quadrilateral (15 September) - Regimental historian Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. R. Murphy notes ‘ the trying experiences of the 13th were repeated.’ Heavy fire inflicting high losses and withdrawal ordered.’

Sergeant Taylor is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.