George Taylor #219225, #787619
Sapper George Taylor was born on March 3, 1898 in Oldham Lancashire, England to possibly Thomas and Annie (Moran) Taylor. He listed Michael Hogan and later James Fine of Almonte, a friend, as his next of kin. He was 5’4, medium complexion, brown eyes and brown hair, single and Presbyterian. He listed his occupation as a carder. After serving with the 42nd regiment in Smiths Falls, ON, he enlisted on Sept 1, 1915 in Smiths Falls, ON at the age of 17 years old, given regimental number 219226, and joined the 80th battalion with Captain CJ Watt and Colonel WG Ketcheson. However, he was discharged on Oct. 21, 1915 at Barriefield Camp due to being underage. He was later given regimental number 787619 and assigned to the 130th battalion on Sept. 18, 1916 when he was 18 years old. He stated at that time his father was not alive and was not aware if his mother was still alive.
On Sept. 23, 1916, George with the 130th battalion sailed from Halifax to Liverpool in 13 days. He was then transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion to train in England. On Feb, 5, 1917, he was transferred to the 124th Pioneer Battalion and sent to France arriving on March 11. On Aug 6, 1917, he was given leave for 10 days but then had to be admitted to the hospital shortly after his return. While there, he developed tonsillitis, which kept him out of action for two and a half months. He rejoined the 124th battalion on Nov.11, 1917. On May 29, 1918, he was transferred to the 12th battalion. He was given leave on Sept 30 for two weeks to England and rejoined the 12th on Oct. 25. He was given dental treatment on May 7, 1919 where he got 6 fillings. It was determined on May 13 he had defective vision due to Hyperopia in his left eye and was given glasses. Finally, he was sent to Bramshott, England on June 6, 1919 and arrived in Ottawa on June 16.
George later listed his sister, Miss Alice Taylor, of 21 Yates St. Acre Lane Oldham Lane as his next of kin. Interestingly, George appears to have grown to 5’6 and a half at the time of his discharge when he was 22 years old. He also initially said he was moving back to Oldham, England but changed his mind and came back to Almonte. His pay was sent to his wife, Mrs. Sarah Ann Taylor of 183 Hiawatha Ave. Toronto, ON from Oct 1915 to Feb. 1917 at which point the account was closed. His pay was then sent to his sister, Miss Alice Taylor of Oldham, England. As to why he initially listed friends as his next of kin instead of his wife is unknown. However, it is possible George did marry Florence Smith, daughter of John and Florence Smith, of Carleton County on Nov. 20, 1919 in Carleton County.
Sapper George Taylor was born on March 3, 1898 in Oldham Lancashire, England to possibly Thomas and Annie (Moran) Taylor. He listed Michael Hogan and later James Fine of Almonte, a friend, as his next of kin. He was 5’4, medium complexion, brown eyes and brown hair, single and Presbyterian. He listed his occupation as a carder. After serving with the 42nd regiment in Smiths Falls, ON, he enlisted on Sept 1, 1915 in Smiths Falls, ON at the age of 17 years old, given regimental number 219226, and joined the 80th battalion with Captain CJ Watt and Colonel WG Ketcheson. However, he was discharged on Oct. 21, 1915 at Barriefield Camp due to being underage. He was later given regimental number 787619 and assigned to the 130th battalion on Sept. 18, 1916 when he was 18 years old. He stated at that time his father was not alive and was not aware if his mother was still alive.
On Sept. 23, 1916, George with the 130th battalion sailed from Halifax to Liverpool in 13 days. He was then transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion to train in England. On Feb, 5, 1917, he was transferred to the 124th Pioneer Battalion and sent to France arriving on March 11. On Aug 6, 1917, he was given leave for 10 days but then had to be admitted to the hospital shortly after his return. While there, he developed tonsillitis, which kept him out of action for two and a half months. He rejoined the 124th battalion on Nov.11, 1917. On May 29, 1918, he was transferred to the 12th battalion. He was given leave on Sept 30 for two weeks to England and rejoined the 12th on Oct. 25. He was given dental treatment on May 7, 1919 where he got 6 fillings. It was determined on May 13 he had defective vision due to Hyperopia in his left eye and was given glasses. Finally, he was sent to Bramshott, England on June 6, 1919 and arrived in Ottawa on June 16.
George later listed his sister, Miss Alice Taylor, of 21 Yates St. Acre Lane Oldham Lane as his next of kin. Interestingly, George appears to have grown to 5’6 and a half at the time of his discharge when he was 22 years old. He also initially said he was moving back to Oldham, England but changed his mind and came back to Almonte. His pay was sent to his wife, Mrs. Sarah Ann Taylor of 183 Hiawatha Ave. Toronto, ON from Oct 1915 to Feb. 1917 at which point the account was closed. His pay was then sent to his sister, Miss Alice Taylor of Oldham, England. As to why he initially listed friends as his next of kin instead of his wife is unknown. However, it is possible George did marry Florence Smith, daughter of John and Florence Smith, of Carleton County on Nov. 20, 1919 in Carleton County.