Harold's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Harold Taylor was born in Macclesfield on 27 December 1893 and baptised at Park Green United Methodist Chapel on 19 March 1894, the son of Sarah Hannah and Samuel Taylor, of 30 Brock St, Macclesfield. In 1911, seventeen-year-old Harold was living at the same address with his parents, who were both silk weavers. Harold, who was employed as a shop assistant for a music dealer, was their only child.
Harold was educated at Mill Street School, Macclesfield, and later at a private school. Prior to enlistment, Harold worked at Monk's Heath, training horses for the Army.
MILITARY SERVICE
Harold enlisted in Macclesfield in July 1916, joining the Welsh Cyclist Corps. He was drafted out to France in October 1917.
Harold's death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 10 May 1918:
Another Macclesfield boy who has given his life in the service of his country is Pte Harold Taylor, only son of Mr and Mrs Taylor, 30 Brock St. Pte Taylor was 24 years of age, and enlisted in the Welsh Cyclist Corps in July, 1916. He was drafted out to France in October, 1917, and was later transferred to the machine-gun section of the Corps. He was wounded while in action, and succumbed to his injuries on April 22nd. His parents received a letter of sympathy from the officer commanding, which also stated that his death was quite painless as he did not regain consciousness from the moment he was hit. Pte Taylor began his education at Mill St School and later attended a private school. He worshipped at Park Green U. M. Chapel. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr Grandage, Monk's Heath, in the training of Army Remounts.
COMMEMORATION
Private Harold Taylor has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel Ref. 49 of the Pozieres Memorial, France. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Private Harold Taylor, and he is listed on the Imperial War Museum’s Lives of the First World War website.
In Macclesfield, Private Harold Taylor is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall and St Michael's Church war memorials.
SOURCES
Cheshire Non-Conformist & Roman Catholic Registers (Baptism) 17th Century-1910: Macclesfield Park Green United Methodist
1911 Census
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 10 May 1918
Research by Rosie Rowley, Macclesfield.