Medal Index Card
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Taylor Humphrey Smiles, was born 1887 at Newburn, Northumberland, one of 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters, one of whom Isabella the eldest died in 1903 aged just 20 years, born to Robert Smiles 1858 and his wife Rebecca Humphrey 1860 both natives of Newburn. They were married at the Methodist Chapel, Maple Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, September 24th 1881. Whilst the family were living at 25, Dean Terrace, Walbottle, his father worked as a smith at the steel works however by 1911 he was employed as a coal miner hewer. Taylor was a 23 year old Surface Labourer at the Colliery.
Taylor enlisted at the Border Regiment Depot, Carlisle Castle, September 7th 1914 and was assigned as Private 12659 to the 7th Border Regiment. The Battalion was posted to Wool in Dorsetshire, September 13th 1914, for training. Once mobilised they were attached to the 51st Brigade, 17th Northern Division. He was posted to France between the 12th-14th July 1915, joining his unit in the field July 24th and was sent to the Ypres salient in Belgium on the line at Kruistraat, also by the end of the month at the Hooge. For the remainder of 1915 the Battalion was in and out of the front-line trenches at the Hooge and Sanctuary Wood taking many casualties. In January 1916, they moved to rest at St Omer in France for a month until reinforcements arrived, moving back to Belgium near Poperinge in February 1916 and spent time in training until June 1916 when the “Big Push” began and they were moved to Fricourt, July 2nd, participating in the opening attack at Bottom Wood and on the following day to Railway Alley. By August they were holding Delville Wood against German counter attack until they entrained for Bienvillers bound for St. Armand and fought extensively in the surrounding area finally spending Christmas in reserve near Guillemont. 1917 they were again moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras after first training at La Neuville and moved to the front line during April 12th-14th 1917.
Having risen through the ranks during his service the now Company Sergeant Major 12659 Taylor Humphrey Smiles was killed in action April 23rd 1917 in the Arras sector and has no known grave. His sacrifice is recorded on the Arras Memorial To The Missing, bay 6, located within the Faubourg d’Amiens British Cemetery, Arras, France. He was 29 years old and single. His father Robert received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His brother John William died in 1921 from the effects of injuries received in the War.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Taylor Humphrey Smiles is remembered at Newburn on N13.02
