Thiepval Memorial
D.L.I. Memorial Book
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Arthur Taylor enlisted at Ferryhill as Private 4087 in the Durham Light Infantry 5th Battalion which landed in Boulogne April 18th 1915 becoming part of the 150th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, by the 23rd they were concentrated near the area of Steenvoorde, Belgium. Rushed into battle to defend nearby Ypres they were subjected to gas attacks and remained in France and Flanders in 1915 during the phases of the Second Battle of Ypres. 1916 began with preparation during the spring for the big offensive better known as the Battles of the Somme. The 5th Battalion was involved in day to day trench warfare until September 15th 1916 when it participated in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette 15th-23rd, The Battle of Morval 25th-28th and the Battle of Transloy Ridge October 1st-18th 1916. By the end of the month they were moved to Millencourt and on via Albert to Contalmaison and Mametz Wood. On arrival they were sent on to Bazentin Le Grande, the roads were bad and movement slow, they finally arrived at Bazentin around midnight October 25th. The following days they were deployed supplying working parties to the Royal Engineers in the front line trenches and the entire Battalion was moved up to relieve the 5th Yorkshire Regiment on the 28th and remained there until November 1st. They were relieved and returned to Bazentin Le Grand and finally moved to a camp south of Mametz Wood where on November 5th they were put under 10 minutes notice as reserve to the 151st Brigade in their battle on Butte De Warlencourt. Private 4087 Arthur Taylor was killed in action November 5th 1916, he has no known grave. His sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, pier and face 14A & 15C.
All monies owed to him, his awards of the 14-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal were given to his sole beneficiaries, his full brothers Frederick and Charles, his half brother James John and his sister Elizabeth.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace
Arthur is remembered at Chilton on C107.01 C107.04 and C107.12
