Arnold Bradley Taylor
Surname: Taylor
Other names: Arnold Bradley
Locations in this story: Loughborough, LeicestershireBell Foundry House, Freehold Street, LoughboroughShaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, DorsetDenstone College, StaffordshireFrance & FlandersContalmaison, France
Story: Arnold Bradley Taylor was born in 1894 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. He was the son of John William Taylor, a Bellfounder, and Ann Mary Bardsley. His siblings included John "Jack" William (born 1885), Gerald "Jerry" Bardsley (born 1886) and Pryce Taylor (born 1891). The family lived at Bell Foundry House, Freehold Street, Loughborough. Arnold attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from September 1902 to July 1907. After leaving the school he went to Denstone College, in Staffordshire and then joined the family bell foundry.
It was reported in the Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine in March 1915 that he had gained a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Leicestershire Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action on 11th July 1916 near Contalmaison in France. His death was reported in the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine: “The brothers Taylor were the nephews of our former Head Master, Mr. Pryce Taylor. Four of them, all sons of Mr. John W. Taylor, of Loughborough, were on active service, and in addition to the two mentioned above, a third (“Pryce”) has since received a bullet wound in the left wrist, and is now in an English Hospital. Arnold Taylor was killed by a heavy shell which burst close to him; he had just come back to the trench after helping to bring in the wounded. A fellow-officer, in a letter to his father, says: “he was the most conscientious subaltern in the company, and his loss will sadly be felt by all of us.” Arnold, with his brother Pryce, last visited the School, Whitsun, 1915.”
As a former pupil his name was recorded on the Shaftesbury Grammar School war memorial, now in Shaftesbury School. A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Arnold served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Arnold's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.
Printed Sources: Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1916
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915
It was reported in the Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine in March 1915 that he had gained a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Leicestershire Regiment. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action on 11th July 1916 near Contalmaison in France. His death was reported in the Shaftesbury Grammar School magazine: “The brothers Taylor were the nephews of our former Head Master, Mr. Pryce Taylor. Four of them, all sons of Mr. John W. Taylor, of Loughborough, were on active service, and in addition to the two mentioned above, a third (“Pryce”) has since received a bullet wound in the left wrist, and is now in an English Hospital. Arnold Taylor was killed by a heavy shell which burst close to him; he had just come back to the trench after helping to bring in the wounded. A fellow-officer, in a letter to his father, says: “he was the most conscientious subaltern in the company, and his loss will sadly be felt by all of us.” Arnold, with his brother Pryce, last visited the School, Whitsun, 1915.”
As a former pupil his name was recorded on the Shaftesbury Grammar School war memorial, now in Shaftesbury School. A "First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces" was produced by Shaftesbury Grammar School in September 1915. It shows the regiment in which Arnold served and the date and term in which he left school. Throughout the war a hand-written list was also compiled of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving in the armed forces. An asterix can be seen next to Arnold's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.
Printed Sources: Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1915
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1916
First List of Old Shastonians Serving in H.M. Forces, September 1915
Images:
Links to related web content / sources: Shastonian The National Archives Commonwealth War Graves Commission Gerald Bardsley TaylorJohn William TaylorPryce Taylor
