F J Taggart (1896 – 1919)

Francis James Taggart was baptised at St Mary Magdalen, Bridgnorth on 26th November, 1897. He was the son of Edward Taggart, a tailor, and his wife, Annie. They lived on Bernard’s Hill. After leaving school, Francis was apprenticed to a letter-press printer.

Francis served with the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport Company). He attested in February 1916 but was not mobilized until April 1917. His health failed almost immediately and he was discharged ‘no longer physically fit for war service’ in November, suffering from tuberculosis ‘not the result of but aggravated by exposure to cold, wet & infection on ordinary military service’. He died on 27th February, 1919.

Francis Taggart’s death was reported by the Bridgnorth Journal on 1st March, 1919. He was the brother of Thomas Henry Taggart who is also commemorated on the Bridgnorth War Memorial. Another brother, John Edward, died aged 31 in April 1917.