Sergeant William Edward Taylor
Service #: 458, 3106
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
William Edward Taylor was born in 1890 in Lismore, son of Paul & Mary Taylor. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914, and both Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm.
APPLICATION
Alfred enlisted just 21 days later, on the 25th August. He was a 22-year-old labourer, eager to do his bit. He enlisted in Lismore, stating his next of kin as his father, Paul Taylor, of Don Dorigo and he was Church of England. William was 22 years 9 months old and was serving in the 4th Light Horse for the past 2 years. He was 5ft 8 inches tall (1.72M), weighed 11stone (70kgs), with a fair complexion, blue eyes & light brown hair. He had a scar on his left leg near his thigh. On the second page of the Attestation Paper he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, William Edward 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.” He was enlisted as a private into the 2nd Light Horse regiments, with service No 458
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was a mounted infantry unit of the Australian Army during World War I. Raised in August 1914; it was part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade. The regiment fought exclusively against the Ottoman Empire. The regiment was composed of mounted infantry, known for their mobility and versatility, and played a significant role in campaigns across Gallipoli, Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine.
They had the reputation of being the most glamorous arm of the Australian Imperial Force. The Light Horse was organised along cavalry lines in regiments of about 600 men. It functioned more like a mounted infantry, with the horses used as transport or, if required, to carry the men swiftly away from the battlefield. The men mostly fought dismounted. The favoured horse was a mixed breed known as the Australian Waler and when fully loaded, they often carried between 130kg and 150kg.
ENOGGERA TRAINING CAMP
They only had a short period of training at Enoggera, where 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. 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.
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
On the 25 September 1914, the regiment left Brisbane, sailing upon the transport ship Star of England. 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.
MAADI TRAINING CAMP
They arrived in Egypt on 9 December where they undertook further training. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Training Camp in Maadi, Egypt, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. All day long, in every valley of the Sahara for miles around the Pyramids of Giza were groups or lines of men advancing, retiring, drilling or squatted near their piled arms listening to their officer. For many of the battalions many miles of desert had to be covered in the morning and evening to and from their allotted training areas. At first, to harden the troops, they wore full kit with heavy packs. Their backs became drenched with perspiration, and the bitter desert wind blew on them as they camped for their midday meal
Their training included rifle shooting, mounted drills, patrol tactics, desert navigation, and preparation for operations in the Middle Eastern theatre. The 2nd Light Horse, along with other regiments, trained intensely here before deployment to Gallipoli (without their horses) in May 1915. The desert camp offered good access to desert terrain ideal for cavalry and mounted infantry manoeuvres
GALLIPOLI MAY 1915
They took part in the North African campaign defending the Suez Canal. In May 1915, they left for the Gallipoli campaign with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. They were involved in reinforcing front-line positions during intense fighting, including responding to the Turkish counterattacks around 19 May, which was one of the largest assaults launched by Ottoman forces during the campaign.
WOUNDED IN ACTION MAY 1915
William was admitted to the 17th General Hospital, Alexandria on 19th May 1915 with gunshot wound to feet & face, severe. Dardanelles.
INVALIDED TO AUSTRALIA
He was invalided to Australia on 23rd October for 6 months change. He was granted a war pension of 70pounds pa from 10th December 1915.
MARRIAGE 1916
In 1916 he married Amy Isabel Hayes in Murwillumbah
REATTACHED OCTOBER 1915
NEW SERVICE NUMBER, REGIMENT & PROMOTION
William was reattached 5th October 1916. His service number changed to 3106 and his regiment was 5th Light horse, 24th reinforcements and was promoted to Acting Ship’s Sergeant Major. He left Australia 3rd February 1917 from Brisbane on the HMAT Hymettus
SHIP’S SERGEANT MAJOR
This is an army rank, typically the senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) in a unit. William was responsible for discipline, drill, and administrative duties, especially in relation to the enlisted personnel. He was in charge of the military discipline among embarked soldiers, and liaison between naval officers and military units on board.
ISOLATION CAMP MOASCAR, EGYPT APRIL- JUNE 1917
He arrived in Suez on 30th April 1917. He was marched into the isolation camp at Moascar, Ismailia, which was the training camp that provided the final preparation for entrainment to Alexandria and the Western Front. The isolation camps screened soldiers arriving in Egypt as reinforcements for two weeks, checking for any illnesses such as measles which can break out when people are crowded together for long periods. Ismailia is a city in north-eastern Egypt, situated on the west bank of the Suez Canal. William was taken on strength from the camp on 14th May 1917 but returned to Moascar on 4th June on the instructional staff
TAKEN ON STRENGTH AND TRANSFERRED BACK TO 2ND LIGHT HORSE JULY 1917
William was taken on strength on 18th July and was transferred back to the 2nd Light Horse.
THE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA OCTOBER- NOVEMBER 1917
On 2 November 1917, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment of the Australian Imperial Force was actively involved in the Third Battle of Gaza, specifically preparing for and participating in operations as part of the Battle of Beersheba (31 October 1917) and its aftermath during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment, part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade, was involved in supporting actions on the flanks and in mopping-up operations, though they did not take part in the final charge directly. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was actively Pursuing retreating Ottoman forces following the successful capture of Beersheba, engaged in skirmishes and patrols in the Judean foothills, particularly around Tel el Khuweilfe and operating in support of the EEF's broader objective to capture Gaza and break the Ottoman defensive line.
WOUNDED IN BATTLE NOVEMBER 1917
A telegram dd 15th November 1917 was sent to his wife advising that Provisional Sergeant William Taylor was admitted to 43rd Stationary Hospital, Egypt 2nd November 1917 with a gunshot wound right thigh.
REST CAMP JANUARY 1918
On 14th January 1918 William entered a rest camp in Port Said. William spent all of 1918 in and out of rest camps
On 11th November the fighting was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait many months before they were headed back to Australia. William embarked on the HR Aeneas on 1st January 1919 for home.
HOME LIFE
William died in 1975 in the Ballina area.
FOR HIS SERVICE
For his service, William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Dungay Public School WWI Honour roll & the Parish of Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
Dungay Public School WWI Honour roll & the Parish of Murwillumbah First World War Roll of Honour
Buried Location
Ballina area
