TAYLOR, Henry Manson

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Edmonton, Alberta
Original Unit
Fort Garry Horse - Canadian Cavalry Brigade
Regimental Number
108575
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
28 years 6 months
Cemetery
Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension - Aisne - France
Cenotaph
Blyth Memorial Hall
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         British Fifth Army
                                             2nd Indian Cavalry Division
                                             Fort Garry Horse
                                             Canadian Cavalry Brigade
SERVICE NO:                   108575
DATE OF BIRTH:            December 1888
                                             Walton – Grey / Morris Townships – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           June 19, 1917                  28 years     6 months
CEMETERY:                     Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension – Jeancourt
                                             Aisne – France
                                             II     C     2
PARENTS:                         Mr. William Taylor – Walton – Ontario.
Occupation:                        Hardware                             Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         December 29, 1914 – Edmonton Alberta
Enlistment Age:                 26 years     5 months

The Canadian Cavalry Brigade was originally attached to the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division, but then in November 1916 the 2nd Division was renumbered as the 5th Indian Cavalry Division and attached to the British Fifth Army. The Canadian Cavalry Brigade served alongside their British and Indian counterparts and at times served in the trenches as part of the infantry.
The day was warm and fine but during the early morning darkness the artillery had been active with the shelling of Ascension and Le Grand Priel Woods.
During the night of June 18th-19th a twenty man patrol left No. 8 post at 10:45pm. Private Taylor was a member of this night patrol. They entered the sunken road south of the Ascension Wood. Here they encountered an enemy patrol of 45-60 men. There was an exchange of bombs and rifle fire. The patrol then charged the enemy and this was followed by a very sharp exchange of hand to hand fighting. The enemy had far superior numbers but they fled east along the sunken road and took their casualties with them. The enemy casualties of dead and wounded were estimated to be 12 men.
The bayonets of the patrol were blood stained 
This patrol returned to No. 8 post at approximately 12:15 am early on the morning of June 19th. It was during this bitter fight that Private Taylor lost his life.