12732 Private Frank Taylor
8th(Service)Battalion
South Staffordshire Regiment
21st December 1915
God is Love
Born in 1872 in Bloxwich, Staffordshire. His parents were Charles Taylor (1842-1910) and Phoebe Harrison (1842-1912).
They were married on 08/06/1862.
Frank had 2 brothers, Alfred (28/10/1874-1962) and Herbert (14/07/1876-1944). He also had 2 sisters,
Mary Ann (born in 1865) and Harriett (18/06/1870-1940).
In the 1881 census, the family were recorded as living at 4 House Sand bank, Walsall. Charles was employed as
a boot maker.
The 1891 census shows the family had move house and were now living at 29 Clarendon Street, Bloxwich, Walsall.
Charles was still employed as a shoemaker. Frank did not appear on the census with the family though. He was at this
time a patient at the Cottage Hospital, Bradford Street, Walsall. The reason for him being there was not given, but it
did record that he was employed as a locksmith.
The 1901 census, sees the family move again, this time to 10 Wolverhampton Road, Bloxwich. Both Charles & Frank
still have the same jobs.
1911 sees the family move once again, after the death of Charles in 1910, the census the next year shows the family
living at 20 Leamore Lane, Leamore near Walsall. Frank was still working as a locksmith.
When war broke out, Frank enlisted in Wolverhampton and was sent to France on 14/07/1915.
He died of wounds on 21/12/1915.
Walsall Observer – 5 February 1916:
FORMER BLOXWICH LOCKSMITH KILLED.
While in the Trenches with the South Staffords.
Official news has been received that Private Frank Taylor, a native of Bloxwich, met his death while in action with the South Staffords in France on December 21. Not many days before he had written to relatives stating that he was going into the trenches for the last time before coming home on furlough. But, sad to say, he had not been long in the firing line when he met his death.
A locksmith by trade, and the son of Mr C. Taylor, late of Bloxwich and Leamore, the deceased soldier was many years in the employ of Mr W. Wilks at the Mill Lane Works, Bloxwich, but was working at Willenhall when war broke out, and he enlisted straight away. He was a good shot and was greatly liked by comrades as a man who did his duty faithfully and well.”
Frank was awarded the 1914-1915, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.