Private Henry Taylor

Private Henry Gordon Taylor, 12th ( Service ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in action in Belgium, aged 39. on the 25th April 1918 during the German offensive on the River Lys.  He had been born in Monifieth and  and was the son of the late Rachel Taylor and John Taylor of Methil Fife and the husband of Jane Taylor of 12 Exchange Street and 42 Castlegate, Jedburgh. He had been employed as a gardener at Bonjedward House, Jedburgh when he enlisted in the 7th/8th K.O.S.B. in October 1916. He was returned home for surgery and upon recovery was posted to the Royal Scots. At that time the Battalion was holding trenches near Rossignol Wood and were forced back under severe enemy pressure whilst at times being surrounded and suffering heavy casualties. Between the 21st-27th April casualties were 1 Officer and 7 Other Ranks killed and 4 Officers and 54 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 14 Officers and 502 Other Ranks were posted missing. In effect the Battalion was destroyed in fighting a defensive action allowing their comrades in the rear to form a defensive line. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Flanders, Belgium.