Friday 15 May 2015

Taylor, Charles Henry - Sergeant (240689)

Sgt Charles Taylor
2nd/5th Battalion
East Lancashire Regiment
Died from Influenza
15th November 1918
Age 23

Buried at St. Johns Stonefold on 20th November 1918


Charles Henry Taylor was born in Rawtenstall in 1895. He was the son of Harry Holden and Alice Taylor of 309, Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge. In 1901 Charles, aged five, was living at 4, Victoria Mill Yard, Haslingden with his parents and his three year old sister Maud. Charles and his younger brother, Mark, were enthusiastic members of the Congregational Boy Scouts when war broke out. Prior to the war he was a piecer at Robinson’s Mill. His brother Mark, who was a Sapper in The Royal Engineers, was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in operations at Le Cateau in October 1918. They enlisted together in October 1914 when Sapper Taylor was 16½.
Charles, who enlisted early in the war, and was had been twice gassed, and was in hospital at Heaton Park when he caught influenza, from which he died on 15 November 1918. 
On Wednesday, 20 November a memorial service was held in Trinity Baptist Chapel conducted by Capt. The Rev. T. Miller Johnson, pastor, followed by interment at Stonefold Churchyard, when Capt. The Rev. B. S. Ainley, vicar, officiated. The Pikelaw Military Hospital furnished bearers and a firing party was provided from his regimental headquarters. 

Newspaper Report:

Sergt. Chas. Taylor who was buried with military honours on Wednesday week. Deceased who had been twice wounded and twice gassed, has died from pneumonia in a hospital at Heaton Park.  He formerly resided at 309, Blackburn Road, Haslingden.

FUNERAL OF SERGEANT C. TAYLOR

Sergt. Charles Taylor (23) whose parents reside at 309 Blackburn Road, was interred with military honours on Wednesday.  Deceased and his brother, the latter still serving, were enthusiastic members of the Congregational Boy Scouts when the war came.  Deceased, who enlisted early in the war was a piecer at Robinson's Mill, had been twice gassed, and he was in hospital at Heaton Park when he took influenza, from which he died.  On Wednesday there was service in Trinity Baptist Chapel conducted by Capt. the Rev. B.S. Ainley vicar, officiated, The Pikelaw Military Hospital furnished bearers, and a firing party was furnished by deceased's headquarters.

Newspaper Memorials:

In every loving memory of Sergeant C.H. Taylor 240689, 2/5th East lancs, wo died of Pneumonia at Neil Lane Military Hospital, West Didsbury, November 15th 1918 and was interred on the 20th at St. John's , Stonefold.

"We loved him, ah, no one can tell
How deep, how dearly, and how well;
A loving son, a brother kind,
A beautiful memory left behind.

We have lost, heaven has gained
One of the best this world contained.

From Father, Mother, Sister and Brother, 309, Blackburn Road, Haslingden.

"In 1914 when the war began, my son said 
to me "Mother, we must be prepared, and do our bit"
So I gave consent, and he went to 
do his duty to his country.  And when the
war was over God took him home to rest"

"One of the best"

From Mother and Sister.