FAMILY LIFE

Henry Joseph Thomas Taylor (known affectionately as Harry by his family) was born in Bega in 1888. He was the oldest child of James and Mary (nee Hill) Taylor, and a third generation Taylor in Bega.

His grandfather, Thomas Taylor, was born in Essex, England in 1841 and arrived in Australia in 1856. By 1864 he had settled in the Bega Valley and later that year married Louisa (nee) Hackett. Thomas was to become a prominent person in the community. Bega An extract from his Obituary in the Bega Budget dated 18 Dec 1915, reads, “The late Mr. Taylor was the embodiment of honour and belonged to that hard-working class of pioneer that did so much to make this State what it is today.” Henry grew up at Tanja on his family’s dairy farm. In 1902 his mother, Mary, died and in 1904 his father, James married Mary’s sister Louisa. James fathered twelve children in all, ten of whom survived him. By the early twentieth century farming conditions were deteriorating in the Bega Valley and James had to consider finding a better life for his large family. Another extract from the Bega Budget, printed 21 Oct 1908 reads, “Mr. James Taylor, of Tanja, will start for the North Coast on Saturday with the view of settling there. Mr. Taylor has resided at Tanja almost all his life, and is one of those industrious and capable farmers that we can ill afford to lose. Still, it is a man’s duty to try and better his position and the Budget wishes our departing citizen good luck in the famous North Coast.” By 1912 the family had settled at Eungella and James following in his father’s footsteps was soon a prominent citizen in the area, taking part in any movement for the welfare of his district. He was member of the Tweed River Agricultural Society for many years, a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Murwillumbah Branch of the P.P.U. (Primary Producers Union). With such a wonderful heritage, Henry was probably looking forward to a full and productive life in the Tweed Valley.

APPLICATION

However, things were to change dramatically with the outbreak of WW1. Like many young honourable men, Henry was keen to do his duty so on 21 September 1914 he enlisted in the army at Lismore. He was allocated the regimental number 957 and the rank of Private. His attestation papers note that he was 26 years old, 5’7” tall, with brown eyes and black hair, and his occupation was farmer. His next of kin was his father, James, of Eungella.

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Henry “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  Along with many local recruits he was assigned to 15th Battalion (Bn) 4^th Infantry Brigade, A.I.F., F Company, with service number 957.

On the second page of the Attestation Paper he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Henry Joseph Thomas Taylor swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

15^TH BATTALION

This Battalion was raised in Sep 1914 mostly from recruits who were volunteers from Queensland, and the rest from northern NSW and Tasmania. With the 13th, 14th, and 16th Bn it formed 4th Brigade, under the command of Colonel John Monash.

BROADMEADOWS, VICTORIA, TRAINING CAMP

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months

The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

The troops embarked for overseas on board the Transport A40 H.M.A.T. Ceramic on 22 Dec 1914. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

Despite the expectation of sailing to England and then across the English Channel to join the British forces in France to engage the German army, which had invaded France and Belgium in August 1914, the Ceramic sailed to Egypt, disembarking at Alexandria on 3 February 1915.

HELIOPOLIS TRAINING CAMP, EGYPT

Here the troops moved into camp at Heliopolis. On 10 April 1915 the 15th Bn was moved by train to Alexandria where it embarked upon troopships bound for the Gallipoli Peninsula. After leaving Alexandria, the 15th Bn sailed to Mudros where the Allied force assembled. Assigned to the follow-up waves, 15th Bn landed at Anzac Cove on the afternoon of 25 April 1915.

ANZAC COVE APRIL 1925

Even though 25 Apr is remembered as a time to honour our brave ANZACs, the campaign lasted for several months after this date. The allies tried to break through the Turkish lines and the Turks tried to drive the allies off the peninsula for many months throughout 1915.

QUINN’S POST MAY 1915

On 9 May a party from 15th Bn crept out at night and captured the Turkish trench in front of Quinn’s Post. Next morning they were driven back with many men wounded as they ran for the Australian line. Quinn’s Post, named after Major Hugh Quinn, 15th Bn AIF, was one of the most dangerous places at Anzac.

“Men passing the fork in Monash Valley,” wrote Charles Bean, “used to glance at the place (as one of them said) as a man looks at a haunted house.” Quinn’s Post was positioned on the northern edge of the front line along Second Ridge, and beyond was Deadman’s Ridge, from which the enemy could fire into the side of the Post. Other Turkish trenches lay opposite, and the Turks had only to advance a few metres, capture Quinn’s, and the whole Anzac area could be lost.

WOUNDED IN ACTION

On 9 May 1915 Henry was reported as “wounded in action”, in the vicinity of Quinn’s Post. The initial army report stated “that his wound was not specially stated to be serious originally, and in such cases the Egyptian Authorities advise the absence of further particulars may be accepted as indicative of favourable progress towards again becoming fit for active service.”

KILLED IN ACTION 10^TH MAY 1915

However, on 10 May Henry was reported “wounded and missing in action” and finally as killed in action.

COURT OF ENQUIRY

As soon as possible after a battle/action a court of Inquiry was held to determine what had happened to all ranks within the battalion. All soldiers were then listed and what happen was ascertained to the best of the knowledge of the men involved. This was not always possible to confirm those missing unless they were seen by a survivor to be killed or wounded. In many cases those listed as missing and were not on the hospital or PoW reports from the Redcross or from the Enemy either German or Turkish were declared dead. The actual date of death was not determined until they made all enquiries and this process could take a few days to many months

Because of the nature of these reports, a court of enquiry was held at 4th Australian Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Serapeum in April 1916. This court determined that Henry was killed in action in Gallipoli.

COMMEMORATION

Henry has no known grave but is commemorated at the Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 50), Gallipoli, Turkey.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Henry was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. On 17 Jul 1916 Henry’s effects were despatched to his father. They consisted of a Diary & Year Book, Letters, Leather Belt, Purse, Rubber Stamp, Mustard Plaster, Armlet, Holy Bible, Inf. Pocket Book, Writing Pad, Mirror-damaged. 

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.