JOHN TAYLOR 

John's Story.

Cheshire Observer, Saturday, August 26, 1916.

Brothers Killed in Action

It is with extreme regret that we report the loss of two further Ellesmere Port men, Private Jack Taylor and Private Tom Taylor, off 7, Eleanor St. Tom was about 35 years of age and Jack about 26, the former being employed at Burnell's iron works. Both had been out nearly 12 months and we're in the Cheshire's. The news of Jack's death came in a letter from W.L. Smith who says “it is with the deepest regret that I write, but as one of Jack's first friends in the battalion I feel I must tender to you my sympathy in your loss. Both Tom and Jack took part in a charge on the 3rd of July and unhappily both were killed at practically the same time with many more of their friends. It will be some small consolation to you to know that they were killed instantaneously and suffered no pain. They were both well-liked and respected, their cheerfulness and good steady characters gaining them many friends. At such times we feel how small is any consolation we can offer; I trust God will help and comfort you in your great loss.”

The greatest sympathy is felt with the men's relatives in their loss. Jack Taylor was one of the most prominent workers at the parish church and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a member of the Church of England Men's Society, a Sunday school teacher and one of the chief helpers with the services for children held in the institute on Sunday mornings. The Vicar thought a great deal of him, and the last time Jack was home the Vicar was taken ill, and he was one who gave great valuable assistance in church work at the time. His comrades in the C.E.M.S. will miss him very much, and his place as a church worker will be hard to fill, as rarely was a man so well liked by all. When he was home last, he said to his mother, “well mother surely we won't both get killed together and if anything happens to me Tom will let you know, and I will let you know if he comes to grief.” Unfortunately, this is just what happened, and their death has been confirmed by an Ellesmere Port man who was with them, Private W. Jones he saw one killed and was going to tell his brother when he received the news that he also had been killed. In all Ellesmere Port long roll of honour a sadder case has not been known, and sincere sympathy of all Ellesmere Port people is extended to those who are bereaved.



The brothers were killed 3^rd July 1916 the war diary reads:

3^rd July 1916.

On immediately visiting the companies the adjutant found that a considerable number of casualties had occurred during entrance to the assembly positions, that the British trenches were devoid of British troops and that the guides had no instructions other than to lead the companies to some particular spot in the trenches. How much of the trench each company was to occupy was left to the imagination, no further relief of troops in fact had taken place. By about 5:30 am the companies had more or less taken up some portion of the trenches and got in touch with me. The trenches were exceedingly badly knocked about, affording little cover from fire and in a great many places little cover from view. Steps were taken to organise the bombers and to account where the dumps were to ensure a supply of bombs to the companies. At about 6:20 am the Border Regt. on the left of the battalion (with whom touch had been made) attacked the German positions but by whose orders is not known. The right flank of the Borders being enforced, the leading companies of the Cheshire’s immediately attacked, and the assaulting waves passed over No MAN’S LAND in perfect order. Word to this effect was immediately sent to the Commanding Officer who at once proceeded to the scene of action. The assaulting troops very soon came under a withering fire from machine guns, which made the ground at about 50 yards from the first German line absolutely impassable, line after line of the troops were mown down. The commanding officer who went with the reserve company was unfortunately killed and Captain Hill, the adjutant on whom the command of the Battalion devolved decided to get the men still living back into the trench from which they jumped off and to hold it as a defensive line. The remainder of the day was spent in trench warfare and carrying up wounded and other casualties. Unfortunately, the list of casualties was large and included every Company Commander. 20 Officers and 657 Other Ranks entered the trenches on 3^rd and of that number 6 Officers and 350 Other Ranks came out on the night of the 4^th. On the night of the 3^rd the battalion under orders from Brigade moved further North by about 300 yards and held another section from STAFFA ST. to TYNDRUM ST. linking up with the 8^th Border Regiment, the place of the 11^th Cheshire’s being filled by the 1^st Wiltshire Regt. During the night of 3^rd- 4^th the section of the trench held by the battalion was heavily shelled. On the afternoon of the 4^th the Cheshire’s were relieved by the 1^st Wiltshire Regt.