Diss Family History Group

Herbert Eustace TAYLOR, son of John TAYLOR (1848-c. 1946) and Mary Ann KEEBLE (c. 1853-1932), was born on 9 December 1877 in North Lopham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 11 July 1880 in North Lopham - born 09.12.1877, mother Mary Ann, forename Herbert Augustus.

The start of Herbert’s military career was on the 16 October 1894 when he enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment, Private 4096. It appears he moved around within the Norfolk Regiment; including initially at the Regimental Depot, then the 2nd Battalion from 6 June 1895, the 1st Battalion from 9 November 1895, 2nd Battalion from 10 July 1895, 1st Battalion from 15 November 1896, the Depot from 30 May 1910, and 1st Battalion from 8 January 1912. These early records are somewhat confusing but the first concrete date was 2 December 1896 when he landed in India.
In a medical record of 27 February 1900, it shows him as being injured when a cartridge exploded in a soldier's rifle near him, injuring his right eye, and admitted to the Station Hospital at Colaba. Initially classed as severe, the injury was later deemed not severe and would not interfere with his ability to be an efficient soldier. Herbert extended his service to 12 years on 23 October 1901, presumably whilst in India. He further extended it to 21 years on 23 November 1905, this change noted whilst in Middleburg, Transvaal.
During his service he did have a few incidents of poor discipline, including absent from parades and drunkenness. He also had several visits to hospital with a variety of ailments, including dysentry and syphilis.
(A small detachment from the 1st Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment served during the Somaliland Campaign (1902 - 1904), earning campaign recognition through the Africa General Service Medal.)
He was discharged at his own request on 25 November 1912, with a view to receiving a pension under the Pay Warrant. The total time he had served was 18 years 41 days. The Chelsea Pensions Board gives his service abroad as 6 years 8 Months in India, 1 year in Somaliland, and 4 years 4 months in South Africa.

The Great War - Herbert’s Great War service started on 5 November 1914 in Norwich when he was embodied into the 4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, promoted to Corporal on 26 December and then Sergeant on 30 January 1915. He was posted to the 4th Battalion on 19 September 1916 and on to the 3rd Battalion on 25 November. He was transferred to the Essex Regiment on 7 December 1916, posted to the Depot on 25 February 1917 and to the 3rd Battalion on 27 April. On 30 November 1917 he was transferred and posted to the 428th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps, sergeant 490048, and posted to the 660th Company on 13 April 1918. On demobilization on the 10 April 1919 he was transferred to the Class “Z” Army Reserve. Overall his service was on home soil to 27 November 1916, in France till 24 February 1917, and then on home soil till demobilization.

He died circa 1935 in North Lopham. He was buried on 23 May 1935 in North Lopham, the ceremony was conducted by Rev. C J EASTWOOD - aged 66 years.

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