H P Taylor (1884 -1914)

A ‘list of sailors and soldiers belonging to the town’ published in the Bridgnorth Journal of 26th December, 1915 includes: ’57 [St Mary’s Street] Taylor, 8175, Pte Harry Percy, West Riding Regt. (Killed in action).’

Percy Harry Taylor was born in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire in 1884, the son of John Taylor, a general labourer and his wife, Elizabeth. He worked as a kitchen porter at a Cambridge College before joining the army in 1904. He served in the West Riding Regiment for three years spending most of that time as a company cook.

Percy was mobilized immediately at the start of the war. He went straight to France with the 2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment. He was present at the Battle of Mons on 23rd August but he was killed in action at Wasmes, just outside Mons, on the following day. He is buried in Hautrage Military Cemetery.

Private Taylor, 8175, was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 1914 Star with clasp.