Geoff D Taylor Posted 3 January , 2012 Share Posted 3 January , 2012 I am researching my Grand Uncles' roles in WW1 and I was sent this photo from my cousin. The man pictured certainly has a family resemblence but I am finding difficulty associating the picture with one of my four Grand Uncles. The uniform looks very plain and so far I cannot work out the cap badge due to the poor resolution. My Grand Uncles are... David Bushell Taylor, Cheshires, Private, 49578 killed (Thiepval) Edward William Taylor, RSG 5018, Royal Welch Fuslilers 42716, Bandsman James Taylor, Royal Garrison Artillery 95540, Killed 12/06/1917 (Le Havre) Francis Taylor, Royal Engineers, WS Cable Section, 78670 Is the uniform consistent with any of them? Regards Geoff Taylor Carine, Western Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony paley Posted 3 January , 2012 Share Posted 3 January , 2012 Geoff, Small unusual cap badge on a 'backing' but the cloth shoulder patch looks very similar to the Red rose of the 55th Lancashire Division. Tony P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw63 Posted 3 January , 2012 Share Posted 3 January , 2012 Definitely the 55th Division rose, but (Sorry) - don't recognise the cap badge. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Owl Posted 3 January , 2012 Share Posted 3 January , 2012 Were the 6th K.L.R. part of the 55th Div.? If so could it be their badge on a corded type boss--the shoulder title looks a little like 'Kings'!!? or would this be T/6/Kings? Just a couple of thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted 3 January , 2012 Share Posted 3 January , 2012 How about a General Service button in lieu of a cap badge, catching the flash gun? Just my thinking John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battiscombe Posted 4 January , 2012 Share Posted 4 January , 2012 1st/5th-6th-7th-9th Kings (liverpool regt) formed the 165th Brigade in 55th Division Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Sweeney Posted 4 January , 2012 Share Posted 4 January , 2012 Geoff, The uniform does not fit any of you relatives. I would say 55th Div and one of the Liverpool (King's) Reg't Bn. Can you post a blow-up of the shoulder area. He is actually wearing two different types of shoulder badges. The normal Gilded Metal--which is a bit obscured and Slip-on embroidered titles. The Slip-ons in this case have been sewn to the shoulder==which is per order issued in Feb 1917 although the practice of sewing to the shoulders started much earlier--There is a well known photo of Irish Guardsmen gowing through Gas Helmet inspection in circa Sept 1916 and all have the slip-ons sewn to the shoulder. I think the blow-up will conform the King's Regiment. Joe Sweeney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 4 January , 2012 Share Posted 4 January , 2012 Not sure if this helps... I'll second Joe and his analysis Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff D Taylor Posted 4 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 4 January , 2012 Thanks for the deliberations. It has helped greatly, though it now leaves me with problems to solve. The picture seems to be my Gr Uncle James whom we know anectdotally was killed in WW1. The picture appears to show him as a member of the Kings Own (Liverpool) 55th Division. I was then prompted to try and match this with several lines of research... First line of reaserch... Medal Card James Taylor 14416 L'pool Rgt Deceased Commonwealth War Graves Commisssion Name: TAYLOR, JAMES Initials: J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) Unit Text: 12th Bn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 17/06/1916 Service No: 14416 Additional information: Son of John and the late Margaret Taylor. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. A. 38. Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY Unfortunately this fails - he should have been 28 and his parents are James Bushell Taylor and Mary Taylor. Second line of research... We also have a photo attributed to Gr Uncle James Taylor with him wearing the uniform of the Royal Garrison Artillary. Commonwealth War Graves Commisssion Name: TAYLOR Initials: J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery Unit Text: 114th Heavy Bty. Date of Death: 12/06/1917 Service No: 95540 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: F. 15. Cemetery: ST. LEGER BRITISH CEMETERY This appears plausible, but now that we have the new photo...??? Regards Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted 4 January , 2012 Share Posted 4 January , 2012 Just perusing Geoffs I found a Taylor Francis James London Regt [The Rangers] 12 Btn A Coy, Aged 23 Died 03/07/16, Son of Mr and Mrs James B Taylor, 3 Station Rd Tadcaster A bit younger than you wanted but does the address tie in? Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff D Taylor Posted 4 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 4 January , 2012 Just perusing Geoffs I found a Taylor Francis James London Regt [The Rangers] 12 Btn A Coy, Aged 23 Died 03/07/16, Son of Mr and Mrs James B Taylor, 3 Station Rd Tadcaster A bit younger than you wanted but does the address tie in? Regards John Sorry Bigjohn, My uncles were from Toxteth. I am pretty right on the military histories for David Bushell Taylor, Edward William Taylor and Francis Taylor. Most of the pieces have fallen into place over the past couple of years for them. James is the problem one. David Bushell Taylor 1915 Private 49578 Cheshires 13th (service) batallion KIA 21/10/1916 Ancre, France Edward William Taylor 1902 Bandsman (trumpeter) 5018 RSG 2nd Dragoons, Boer War, 1916 Bandsman 42716 Royal Welch Fusilers, Egypt, 1925 Gunner 765742 Royal Artillery 87th Brigade Francis Taylor 1915 Driver 78670 Royal Engineers WS Cable Section, Italy 1939 Cheshires - rejected due to deafness Regards Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verrico2009 Posted 4 January , 2012 Share Posted 4 January , 2012 I'm afraid that 95540 is a John, Geoff:- Name: John Taylor Regiment or Corps: Royal Garrison Artillery Regimental Number: 95540 ETA: the National Archives also bear that out (MIC), so do you have independent proof that was his number (medals or family papers, say)? I've also failed to find anyone who might match amongst the RGA men on CWGC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw63 Posted 5 January , 2012 Share Posted 5 January , 2012 Geoff, The 55th Division was a Territorial Force division. Whilst the shoulder title looks like a King's title, This style was for regular & service btn troops only (including Liverpool Pals after 1916) but not Territorials. Most of the King's Regt Territorial Force units had blackened rifles buttons and none had cap badges that looked like this chap's. I can't identify the cap badge for you but it doesn't neccessarily add-up that this soldier was a member of the King's Regiment. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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