Edward was born in 1886 in Droylsdon near Manchester to Edward (Senior) and Sarah Taylor (née Barton). He was one of six children.

Edward enlisted with the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1902 (extrapolating from his Service No. 9225) and was probably posted to the 2nd Battalion based at Tidworth, Wiltshire at that time. He was 16 years old so he would have been under age for the Army. While serving in the Army Edward married Louisa Marchant in Chorlton, Manchester in 1907. When Edward transferred to the Reserves around 1909 or 1910 the family moved to Stockport.

Edward became a crane driver at Messrs H. Hollingdrake and Sons’ foundry in Heaton Lane. He and Louisa had four children: Margaret; Louisa; Theresa; and Edward (Junior). Unfortunately, Theresa died soon after being born. Margaret was born in Reddish, but by 1911 the family had moved to 331, Newbridge Lane, Stockport.

The 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers were mobilised and landed at Boulogne on 20th August 1914. Edward, mobilised as part of the reserves, did not land in France until 11th September and may have then taken part in the Battle of the Aisne. The newspaper reported that Edward was wounded probably while in the trenches after the Battle of Messines. He also suffered from rheumatism and was in hospital for seven weeks. He re-joined the battalion in January 1915 and was promoted to Lance Corporal. The battalion went into the trenches near Comines-Warneton on 11th February 1915. The next day, one section of men was positioned in a couple of houses near to a cottage in No Man's Land known as "Sniper's House". Although there are no details of his death, it is possible that Edward fell victim to a German soldier hidden in the appropriately named Sniper's House. Edward was killed on 12th February 1915. He would be the first fatality of the month. Louisa did not remain a widow long and married William Byrne in the autumn of 1916.

News has been received in Stockport of the death whilst serving his country of 9225 Private Edward Taylor, Lancashire Fusiliers. Private Taylor was a reservist, having been in the Army, and when war broke out his regiment was mobilised, and was soon in action. He was wounded some months ago, and also suffered from rheumatism, and was in hospital seven weeks, He recovered, and again went into the trenches about a month ago. He was killed on 12th February. Private Taylor was employed as a crane driver at Messrs H. Hollingdrake and Sons’ foundry and was well known and respected by his workmates and friends. He resided at 331, Newbridge-lane, Stockport, and leaves a widow and three children. Stockport Advertiser 26 February 1915

Edward is buried at Tancrez Farm Cemetery, Comines-Warneton, Belgium.

Edward is also commemorated at the Stockport War Memorial, Wellington Road South, Stockport and on the War Memorial in St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Tatton Street, Stockport.

Rest in Peace

1. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. “Find War Dead”. 2. Stockport Advertiser 26 February 1915. 3. Free BMD Marriages Sep 1907, Taylor, Edward, Chorlton, Vol 8c, Page 1936 (sic) and Marriages Sep 1907, Marchant, Louisa, Chorlton, Vol 8c, Page 1926. 4. General Registry Office Online Index Name: Taylor, Margaret, Mother's Maiden Surname: Marchant, GRO Reference: 1908 M Quarter in Stockport Volume 08A Page 99; and Name: Taylor, Louisa, Mother's Maiden Surname: Marchant, GRO Reference: 1910 M Quarter in Stockport Volume 08A Page 64; and Name: Taylor, Theresa, Mother's Maiden Surname: Marchant, GRO Reference: 1912 J Quarter in Stockport Volume 08A Page 136; and Name: Taylor, Edward, Mother's Maiden Surname: Marchant, GRO Reference: 1914 M Quarter in Stockport Volume 08A Page 122. 5. Free BMD Deaths Sep 1912, Taylor, Theresa, Age 0, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 94. 6. National Archives of the UK, 1901 Census; Class: RG13; Piece: 3765; Folio: 129; Page: 5 and 1911 Census; Class: RG14; Piece: 21398. 7. General Registry Office Online Index Name: Taylor, Edward, Mother's Maiden Surname: Barton, GRO Reference: 1886 M Quarter in Prestwich Volume 08D Page 435. 8. Nixon, Paul, Army Service Numbers 1881-1918. At the time Army Service Numbers were issued sequentially by regiment. Nixon has analysed these numbers by year, so the Lancashire Fusiliers issued Service Number 9068 on 19 August 1902 and Service Number 9381 on 21 January 1903. This indicates that Edward Taylor enlisted between these dates. He may have been underage. 1902 is consistent with Edward transferring to the reserves around 1910. 9. Lancashire Fusiliers “2nd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers Tours and Postings” 2018. 10. Army Medal Office. WWI Medal Index Cards. In the care of The Western Front Association website. 11. Edward’s Medal Record and the newspaper article have his rank as Private but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Register of Soldiers Effects have his rank as Lance Corporal which suggests that he was promoted shortly before his death. 12. Hartley, John, “More than a Name” 2008. 13. Free BMD Marriages Dec 1916, Byrne, William J., Spouse Name: Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 108 and Marriages Dec 1916, Taylor, Louisa., Spouse Name: Byrne, Stockport, Vol 8a, Page 108. 14. Wells, Dominic “The Soldiers of St, Joseph’s Parish” 2018. 15. Thanks to Stockport Heritage Library.