Leonard Taylor, Age 18

Private, 6th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Leonard was the son of Mr William L and Mrs K E Taylor of 59 Powis Fold, Lawley Bank. He had enlisted into the KSLI at the age of 17 at the outbreak of the war, prior to which he had worked as a miner at pits at Lawley.

Leonard had done his basic training with the 9th Battalion in South Wales before going to France with the 6th Battalion KSLI.

The 6th had been holding trenches at Lesboeoufs on the Somme when on the 17th September 1916 the Germans made several determined bombing attacks against their positions, these were fought off, but in the early hours of the next day (18th) at 4.30 am they attempted further bombing attacks which again were driven off. Later that same day at approximately 2.25 pm the battalion were subjected to a heavy barrage from German Trench mortars and 5.9” battery fire and later again the 6th battalion were relieved by the 6th battalion of the Ox. & Buck’s regiment.

Leonard was killed in action on the 18th September 1916 by an explosion of a shell, His parents received a letter from his platoon sergeant in which he stated that Leonard had been badly wounded and stretcher bearers had gone out to him under heavy shellfire to assist and dress his wounds but it was to no avail. He was buried just behind the front lines by his comrades but it appears that his grave was lost and his name now is inscribed on the Thiepval memorial, panels 12A - 12D.

His elder brother George who had worked at the Ballast works at Hollinswood before the war also served with the KSLI and survived the War as did 2 other brothers Ted & Will.

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Buried or Commemorated Thiepval Memorial

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Victory Medal	British War Medal	1914-15 Star Medal