Just going back to the original question about Harry Vivian Taylor.
He went to France as Private 5746 with the 20 Royal Fusiliers
in 1915 no other date on his MIC. He was then commissioned
into the Manchester Regiment?
He was with the 2nd Bn when he was awarded the MC in April 1917.
On the first of July 1917 he joined the 17th Bn. He was promoted to
Captain 6th of November 1917. He died on the 22 of March 1918.
Harry Taylor was gazetted for his MC on 26/5/17. His citation reads
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He gallantly led his
company against several machine guns and succeeded in putting 6 of
them out of action, thereby undoubtably saving his battalion from
many casualties. He set a fine example of courage and initiative.”
This action took place on 2nd April 1917, at Manchester Hill, near
Francilly-Selency. The 2nd Battalion War Diary provides further
details. “…Punctually at zero hour, with the first streak of dawn,
the line advacned to the attack and was immediatley met by heavy
rifles and machine gun fire.
This came principally from the Quarry and therefore A Coy suffered most.
2/Lt H Taylor who was in command of the two platoons of A Coy at once
changed direction half right and attacked the Quarry on the flank which
he captured taking 4 machine guns and in addition 2 more machine guns
in a trench adjoining the quarry…” He was originally posted missing and
presumably assumed killed on 22/3/18 near St Quentin. He is buried in
Savy Cemetery. Aged 24, Harry was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Taylor,
of “Netherly,” Rivington Road, Pendleton. Born 29/1/1894. Harry has originally
enlisted in the 20th (Public Schools) Battalion Royal Fusiliers Number 5746.
He is commemorated on the Memorial Plaque at St James Church Hall, Eccles
Old Road, Hope. Also Old Salfordians Memorial.
Timberman