Auction Catalogue

23 June 2005

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 971

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23 June 2005

Hammer Price:
£270

Three: Second Lieutenant E. Taylor, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, late Leicestershire Regiment, wounded at Nieuport, July 1917

1914-15 Star (12167 L. Sjt., Leic. R.) ; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Silver War Badge (341364); with Leicestershire Regiment cap badge and Princess Mary’s Christmas tin, medals generally extremely fine (6) £260-300

Edgar Taylor was born in the Parish of All Saints, Loughborough, Leicestershire on 31 March 1889, was educated at Cobden School and later worked as a Timber Merchant’s Clerk. With the outbreak of war he attested for service on 1 September 1914. He was posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and attained the rank of Lance-Sergeant in March 1915. In April the battalion became part of the 110th Infantry Brigade, 37th (New Army) Division and embarked for France on 29 July 1915. In September he was promoted to Sergeant. The 110th Infantry Brigade (composed entirely of Leicestershire battalions) was transferred to the 21st Division in July 1916 and took immense casualties in the attack upon Bazentin-le-Petit, 14 July during the Battle of the Somme. On 31 July Taylor was posted back to England to attend an Officers Training Course. He was duly commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 19 December 1916 and posted to the 1/5th (T.F.) Battalion. His new unit formed part of the 148th Infantry Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. The unit formed part of the line in front of Neuve Chapelle. Having delivered a couple of successful night raids upon German frontline posts, on 13 July 1917, the battalion began a move to the Nieuport defences, arriving in position on the 18th. No sooner had the defences been occupied than casualties from German to artillery fire began to accrue. 2nd Lieutenant Taylor was one of the wounded, taking shrapnel wounds to the right leg on the 19 July. Invalided to England, he was assessed as unfit for further service on 18 March 1918 and awarded the Silver War badge on 2 May 1918. Sold with folder of copied service details and research.