First Day of the Battle of Loos Casualty British War Medal awarded to Corporal, later Serjeant J.H. Taylor, 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment who was killed in action on 25th September 1915 – the first day of the Battle of Loos and having no known grave is now remembered on the Loos Memorial.
British War Medal 1914-1919; (12450 CPL. J.H. TAYLOR. GLOUC. R.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Together with a copied image of the recipient
James Henry Taylor was born in Cheltenham, the son of Henry and Eliza Alice Taylor of 2 Melrose Villas, Rosehill Street, Cheltenham. Prior to the war he was a repairer and restorer of antique furniture, working for Messrs Merry & Co at 6-8 Clarence Street, Cheltenham. He would enlist in Cheltenham, joining the 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment in September 1914. He went with his unit to France in August 1915 and was killed on the first day of the Battle of Loos – 25th September 1915.
The Gloucesters’ captured three lines of trenches and several guns, reaching the edge of the village of Hulloch but at a terrible loss, 9 officers and 155 other ranks being killed and so many others wounded that at roll call at the end of the day, only 100 men were alive and unwounded remained.
Sergeant James Henry Taylor has no known grave and is now commemorated on the Loos Memorial. His brother, Company Quarter Master Sergeant Frederick William Taylor of the 3/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment also served in the war, and died of disease in Africa on 8th December 1917.
