Thomas was born in Walkington in 1888, he was the only son of Robert and Rachel Taylor; Robert was an agricultural labourer whose family had lived in the village for most of the nineteenth century. He was a keen member of the Walkington reading room together with James Blades and Harry Duggleby. On 15th September 1916 at the village of Flers, Haig renewed the Somme offensive, using tanks for the first time. However, lightly armed, small in number and often subject to mechanical failure they made little impact. The Allies had advanced 5 miles in 5 months, the British suffering 420,000 casualties, the French 195,000 and the Germans 450,000. Thomas was to die on 25th September, 1916 during the Battle of Morval, as part of the Somme offensive. The accounts given by the East Yorkshire Regiments website gives a vivid description of what life was like for Thomas Taylor. “Having broken through the prepared lines of German defence, the British now faced a new set of challenges as it approached the slopes of the Transloy Ridges. Fighting was, as before, severe but gradually the British chipped away and pushed forward. The weather began to turn autumnal, bringing rain, making the battle field increasingly difficult and stretching men to limits beyond physical endurance.” Roll call revealed the appalling losses suffered throughout the day, only 5 officers and 118 other ranks were present. A plaque in Walkington Church says: Thomas Taylor, Only child of Robert and Rachel Taylor, of Walkington. Killed in the Battle of the Somme September 25 1916 aged 28. “Christ took the light from our eyes”.
The grave of his parents Robert and Rachel Taylor in Walkington churchyard shows that they died within 24 hours of each other in 1933. No doubt after sustaining each other in their grief for 16 years. Also commemorated on the gravestone is Thomas their only child. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Picardie, France.
