Lance Sergeant James Taylor (25B/82) E Company 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire),

Meltham was the birthplace of Lance Sergeant James Taylor (25B/82) E Company 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire), who fought at, and survived, the battle at Rorke's Drift in the Zulu war. Although born in the village, to parents also born there, he grew up in Manchester, but can still be regarded as a native of Meltham

Littlehand

Just to add a little meat on the bone.

He was born (circa 1855) at Meltham, Halifax, Yorkshire. Trade - clerk. Attested at Manchester on 13th March 1874, aged 19 years. His religion was that of Church of England. He was five feet eight and a half inch tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He served in South Africa, Mediterranean, India and Burma (Medal with Clasp ‘Burma 1887-9’). Promoted Corporal 3rd March 1875, reduced to Private 27th May 1875. Appointed Lance-Corporal 10th January 1876. Promoted Corporal 4th August 1876. Appointed Lance-Sergeant 26th October 1877. Reverted to Corporal 25th November 1877. Appointed Lance-Sergeant 11th July 1878. Promoted Sergeant 23rd January 1879 in ‘E’ Company, vice Cuthbert. Reduced to Private on 20th March 1880. Extended his army service on 27th April 1880. Promoted Corporal 16th September 1883. Appointed Lance-Sergeant on 3rd September 1884. Re-engaged in the South Wales Borderers (SWB1682) at Madras on 23rd November 1885. Again promoted eventually becoming orderly-room Sergeant on 5th June 1891. Presumably discharged after 8th March 1894. Next of kin Mrs S Taylor (mother), 33 Parkfield Road, Rusholme, Manchester. Medal for South Africa with Clasp ‘1877-8-9’. On Bourne’s list his rank is incorrectly given as ‘Corporal’.

TAYLOR, James. 25B/82 Lance Sergeant
Born at Meltham, Halifax, Yorkshire: trade - clerk. Enlisted for 25 Brigade at Manchester, Lancashire 13/3/1874. Description: age apparently 19 years, height 5' 8 1/4", fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, small scar on forehead. Religion: Church of England. Attested 16/3/1874. Posted to 2nd Bn 24th Foot at Brecon 18/3/1874.
Private 16/3/1874; appointed Corporal 3/3/1875. Confined for drunkenness 27/5/1875; tried and reduced to Private. Appointed Lance Corporal 10/1/1876; promoted Corporal 4/8/1876. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny per diem 27/3/1877. Appointed Lance Sergeant 26/10/1877; reverted to Corporal 25/11/1877; appointed Lance Sergeant 11/7/1878; promoted Sergeant 23/1/1879. Confined 17/3/1880; tried by Regimental Court Martial 20/3/1880; reduced to Private. Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny per diem restored 20/3/1881. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 2 pence per diem 20/3/1883. Promoted Corporal 16/9/1883; appointed Lance Sergeant 3/9/1884; deprived of Lance rank 19/2/1885. Re-engaged at Madras, India for continuation of service in South Wales Borderers (SWB/1785) to complete a total of 21 years service 23/11/1885. Confined 19/9/1885; tried by Regimental Court Martial 22/9/1885; reduced to Private, sentenced to 21 days imprisonment with hard labour and forfeited 1 Good Conduct Badge. Sentence of imprisonment remitted. Good Conduct Pay at 2 pence per diem restored 19/9/1886. Appointed Lance Corporal 29/3/1887. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 3 pence per diem 19/9/1888. Promoted Corporal 7/3/1890; Orderly Room Sergeant 5/6/1891. Entitled to 4th Good Conduct Badge 1/3/1892. Gained a 2nd Class Certificate of Education. Date of discharge not clearly recorded but thought to be 8/3/1894. Conduct good, habits regular.
Next-of-kin, S. Taylor, wife, 33, Parkfield Road, Rusholme, Manchester. In 1915 he, his wife, son and his mother, aged 80 years, moved to Trefnant, Denbighshire (Newspaper report, Mrs Carol Williams}. The family resided at Siop Bach where he worked as a clerk for Richard Evans. Died from Malignant Disease of the Throat and Exhaustion 15/11/1919 (death certificate). He was accorded a military funeral; the bearer parry consisted of Lieutenant A E. Jacobs and ,25 men from Kinmel Park Camp. The cortege included his daughter, Sarah G. Taylor, who resided at St. Asaph. A number of disabled soldiers from the nearby Military Hostel accompanied the coffin to the Parish Churchyard, Trefnant (Newspaper report, Mrs Carol Williams}.
Served at Home 16/3/1874 - 31/1/1878; South Africa 1/2/1878 - 12/1/1880; Mediterranean 13/1/1880 - 11/8/1880; India 12/6/1880 - 8/5/1886; Burma 9/5/1886 - 9/11/1888; India 10/11/1888 - 17/11/1893; Home 18/11/1893 - 8/3/1894. Served in the Kaffir War 1878. Served in the Zulu War 1879 (WO97), a Lance Sergeant in E Company at the defence of Rorke's Drift.
References: 'Chard' roll; Bourne rolls, in which is rank is given as Corporal; Dunbar list. South Africa Medal with clasp 1877 -8-9; (Regimental Property) India General Service Medal 1854 with clasp Burma 1887-89 .(whereabouts unknown)

Thanks. 1879Graves.

Anyone have any ideas on why he was at RD please? Was he possibly a patient in the hospital?

Probably he was. There are 25 definite known patients and 11 others whose presence is unaccounted for. That totals 36 - close to the total number of patients given.
Taylor is one of the 11.

Forum members may be interested to know that I've started to look into the possibility of finally marking James Taylor's grave in Holy Trinity churchyard, Trefnant in north Wales.

The plot was once marked with a simple metal cross just bearing the initials 'J T' and the year of his death (1919), but even this disappeared some time ago.

I'm pleased to say that the local newspaper has taken up the story on my behalf (I'll ask Pete to post the article), so hopefully this will galvanise some interest in the local area - this year is of course the 140th anniversary of the battle itself, but also the centenary of James Taylor's death.

Many thanks to Lee Stevenson for putting me in touch with the family, and as ever, I will keep the forum updated with any progress.

Regards,

Tim

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A rather hard one to find in my quest to visit the graves of the defenders of Rorke's Drift ,James Taylor a private at the time appears to have achieved the rank of sergeant ,he passed away in 1919 and has a very badly rusted iron cross marker in the churchyard in Trefant in wales.
wargamesandwalking.blogspot.com

Evening Andy,

As far as I'm aware, there are/were a number of these simple crosses in the churchyard but the evidence I have from cross referencing various photos is that James Taylor's has been missing for some time; also, the initials on this photo don't seem to indicate 'J T' despite the date of 1919 being correct, therefore not the right grave.

Regards,

Tim

Hi Tim

The above was found on the internet.

I think you are correct as the one I have in my records is a little different.

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Hi Andy,

Yes, I came across the same article recently whilst looking into James Taylor; apparently a few of these crosses have been vandalised or removed over the years, unfortunately Taylor's was one of them.

Regards,

Tim

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Photos by Tim Needham

I'm pleased to report that a stonemasonry firm in Denbigh has very generously agreed to donate a brand new headstone for James Taylor's unmarked grave - sincere thanks to Vale of Clwyd Memorials.

Regards,

Tim

Great news Tim, Well done mate.

Excellent news Tim.

Brilliant. Congrats.

Tim your a legend mate.

Outstanding work Tim with a marvelous gesture from the Stone masonry Company .
90th

Tim
As a thought post the donating company e mail, might be nice for members to e mail them in thanks.
just a thought

All being well, the rededication ceremony will take place at 1100 on Saturday 15th June at the graveside in the presence of descendants of James Taylor, representatives of various Service organisations & charities, local press and other interested parties - all welcome.

I'll keep the forum updated with any changes.

Regards,

Tim

Saturday 15 June at 1100 is confirmed, the service will commence in the church itself and finish outside by the grave for the act of dedication.

There will be an informal reception for tea/coffee etc. back inside the church immediately afterwards (post code LL16 5UF).

Regards,

Tim

Well Done Tim.

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Attached is a photo of The new gravestone which was rededicated yesterday in Trefnant.

Photo by Tim Needham.