Medal Index Card

18th Hussars patrol August 14th IWM Photo Q 83053

James Taylor was born on the 24th March 1890, at Blaydon, Durham, the only son of Thomas Taylor, a Miner and his wife Mary Ann.

They had seven children however, four died, just leaving James with 2 sisters Elizabeth and Ethel.

In 1901 the family were residing at 47 Providence Terrace, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

In 1911, James and his parents were residing at The Whinnery, Newburn-on-Tyne. James described his trade as a Coal Miner.

James was educated at the National School, Newburn-on-Tyne. He enlisted in the 18th Hussars in April 1909. Went to France on the 15th August 1914. He served in the Retreat from Mons from the 24th August 1914, through the 25th and 26th of August 1914.

James was gassed at the Second Battle of Ypres on Whit Monday 1915, and was invalided home.

18th (Queen Mary's Own) Hussars in August 1914, were at Tidworth, part of 2nd Cavalry Brigade in Cavalry Division. Moved to France and landed at Boulogne on the 16th August 1914. 16th September 1914, the Cavalry Division was renamed as the 1st Cavalry Division.

He re-joined his regiment on the 22nd January 1916, and took part in some heavy fighting.

He was killed on the 22nd March 1918 and buried where he fell.

His Commanding Officer, in a letter to his aunt, stated that at the time of his death he was doing excellent work with a Hotchkiss [machine-gun], his name was in for promotion to the rank of Sergeant, and he was a thorough Cavalry soldier in every respect, also that he had always regarded him as his best and most painstaking N.C.O., and greatly felt his loss in the troop. He was unmarried.

His parents emigrated to Canada and lived at Diamond City, Alberta, Canada.

He is not remembered at Newburn or Blaydon on any War Memorials.

18th Queen's Mary Own Hussars in WW1
The CWGC entry for Corporal Taylor