In 1911, George was registered on the census as George Gray. We are aware that there was a name change, probably with his parents from the name Gray but we are not sure why George chose to use this name on the 1911 census? George, 19, was living with his stepfather Isaiah Whitehouse and his mother Alice. George was a pony driver at the Conduit Pit in Norton Canes.

1911

1911 Census for 'Stokes Lane, Norton Canes, Staffordshire'

We know that George worked at the Conduit Colliery in Norton Canes prior to joining the army in 1914. 

Below is an account of his service and his receipt of the Distinguished Conduct Medal:

9678 Corporal George William Taylor D.C.M. 7th (Service) Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment .

George Taylor served with the 7th (Service) Battalion since its formation on 15 August 1914 at Whittington Barracks, and disembarked at “V” Beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 21 August 1915.
He took part in the landing at Suvla Bay on 7 August, and in the disastrous attack against Ismail Oglu Tepe two days later.
He went on to serve in Egypt following the evacuation of Suvla in December 1915, and in France from July 1916.

Taylor was a stretcher-bearer when the 7th South Staffords, as part of 33rd Brigade of 11th (Northern) Division, took part in the Battle of Messines, which opened on 7 June 1917. Acting as support battalion for 33rd Brigade, the 7th South Staffords followed in the wake of 16th (Irish) Division, and it was during the subsequent days that Taylor performed several acts of gallantry that resulted in him being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

News of his award was printed in The Walsall Observer on 4 August:
A NORTON CANES D.C.M.
“Lance-Corporal George William Taylor, of the South Staffords, who has received the D.C.M. for his gallant work in tending the wounded on and after June 7, is the first Norton Canes man to win this honour.
Single, and 23 years of age, his home is at Stokes Lane, Norton Canes, and prior to enlisting, in August, 1914, he was employed at the Conduit Colliery.
He has seen service and been wounded at the Dardanelles, and while serving in France has been several times wounded.” The citation for Taylor’s Distinguished Conduct Medal was published in The London Gazette on 25 August, although the entry stated that he was a resident of Brownhills and not Norton Canes. The citation was quoted in full in another report regarding Lance-Corporal Taylor’s gallantry that was printed in The Walsall Observer on 16 February 1918:

“His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to No. 9,675, Lance-corporal G. W. Taylor, 7th Battalion South Staffs. Regiment, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attending to the wounded under shell fire, during which the medical officer became a casualty. For several days he rendered most valuable assistance, keeping admirable control of his men, and successfully tending and evacuating all the wounded. His tireless devotion and courageous conduct have on every occasion proved invaluable to his battalion when in action.” – “London Gazette.”

Lance-corporal G.W. Taylor is an old boy of Norton Canes Boys’ School, of which Mr J. P. Underwood is head master. He received his medal when on leave recently.

 Promoted to Corporal, George Taylor was demobilised on 25 January 1919 and transferred to the Class Z Army Reserve.

1918

1918 - Marriage of George Taylor and Katherine Burke at St James Church,  Norton Canes, Staffordshire.

1919

1919 - Birth of son Sidney Charles Taylor registered at Cannock, Staffordshire.

1922

March 1922 - Birth of daughter Ivy L Taylor registered at Cannock, Staffordshire.

1922

1922 - Birth of son Edward J Taylor registered at Foleshill, Warwickshire.

We are unsure of the other childrens names and details.

We know that between 1922 and 1927 George and Kate moved to Coventry and George worked at Binley Colliery, He was a member of the Ambulance Division.

George is pictured above front row, third from right.

1939

1939 Registry for '78 Marlborough Road, Coventry, Warwickshire'

We think George died in 1967 and had a cremation at Canley Crematorium but cannot substantiate this at the moment.