British Victory Medal 1914-1919, Private William John Taylor, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Killed in Action at the Somme, 20th July 1916)

British Victory Medal 1914-1919, Private William John Taylor (service number 9186), 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Killed in Action, 20th July 1916)

Born in St. George’s, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, in 1889, the son of Robert and Clara Taylor. He was originally attested on the 3rd of August 1906. He was briefly promoted to Lance Corporal in 1908 before being reverted to Private in December 1911. He served from home until being stationed in Dublin in October 1910. He qualified as a Marksman 1st Class in 1911. He returned to England in May 1912 and moved to the reserves 13th May 1912.

He was raised from reserve on the 30th of July 1914 and disembarked in France on the 1st of September. He was killed in action on the 20th of July 1916, likely during an advance on High Wood during a German bombardment, following the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (14–15 July). These were all actions which took place during the wider Battle of the Somme. He was serving under the 19th Brigade of the 33rd Division.

He was buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France

Correctly impressed:

9186 PTE. W. J. TAYLOR. R. W. FUS.

Condition:

Good, uneven patina, but otherwise no notable flaws