George Francis Woodland ‘Joe’ Taylor was born and raised in Chelmsford, the son of a seven-times Mayor of the town and owner of the Essex Weekly News. He was educated in Kent and then at Malvern College before going to Sandhurst and then to France with the army. He was killed by an exploding shell in May 1917 near Fampoux, Arras, France. His home was in Moulsham Street.

Joe was born in New London Road, Chelmsford on 7th April 1897, the only son of George Woodland Taylor and Frances Amy Taylor (nee Girling). He was baptised at St. John’s Church, Moulsham on 7th July 1897 at which point his father was a journalist of Summer Hill, New London Road, Chelmsford (the house stands on the north-east corner of the junction with Elm Road.

His father had been born in Chelmsford in 1863; his mother c1862 in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. They had married at St. Augustine’s Church, Highbury, London on 25th June 1892. At the time the groom was aged 28, working as a journalist and living in Chelmsford. His bride wasa year older and lived in Highbury.

Kathleen May Taylor, a sister to Joe, was born in Chelmsford on 3rd May 1893 and baptised at St. John’s Church, Moulsham on 21st June 1893 - she died in 1980.

The 1901 census found the family still resident at Summer Hill, New London Road. Joe was aged three, and was accompanied by his father who was Managing Director of a Newspaper (Essex Weekly News), his mother and his sister. The household was completed by Joe’s uncle, Ernest Taylor, (a journalist like his brother) and three servants.

Joe was educated at Clare House School in Beckenham, Kent, from 1907 to 1911 and was recorded by the census in the latter year as a boarder there. By that time his father had moved from Summer Hill to Red House, towards London, beyond the Rising Sun pub (part of Moulsham Street).

He then gained a scholarship, the £30 Classical Scholarship, to Malvern College, Worcestershire, where he studied from 1911 to 1916. There he was head of house, president of athletics, in the football 22, cricket 15, and was a cadet officer.

While at Malvern, in February 1916 he was recommended by the Headmaster for nomination by the Army Council to a cadetship at the Royal Military Academy or Royal Military College at Sandhurst

On 18th April 1916, when aged 19, Joe passed his medical to Sandhurst. He was five feet eight inches tall had a chest of 33 to 36 inches, weighed 9 stone 12 pounds, with good hearing, good teeth, normal colour vision which was ‘satisfactory.’ He declared that he had suffered from jaundice in 1909, a broken leg in 1914 as well as the childhood illnesses of chicken pox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, and German measles.

He then went to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst as a gentleman cadet. He was commissioned into the Essex Regiment in 1917.

Joe was killed in action near Fampoux on 4th May 1917, aged 20, while serving as Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of the Essex Regiment.

The War Office sent a telegram to Joe’s father announcing his death. Unfortunately it was sent to the address of The Essex Weekly News at 26 High Street, Chelmsford, rather than to his home in New London Road/Moulsham Street. Naturally Joe’s father sent a letter of complaint to the War Office.

News of his death was reported in the Roll of Honour in the Essex County Chronicle of 11th May 1915:

“Taylor – Killed in action on the 3rd of May, Second-Lieutenant George Francis Woodland (‘Joe’) Taylor, Essex Regt., only and dearly-loved son of George Woodland and Frances Amy Taylor, of The Red House, Chelmsford, aged 20.”

The same paper also carried a more detailed report:

“Sec.-Lt. George Francis Woodland (‘Joe’) Taylor, Essex Regt., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Taylor, The Red House, Chelmsford, was killed in action in France on May 3. The deceased, who was 20 years of age, after preparatory training at Clare House School, Beckenham, Kent, gained an entrance scholarship to Malvern College, where he became a College Prefect and head of his House, distinguished himself in athletics, and served as an officer in the O.T.C. He then entered Sandhurst, and in the ‘pass-out’ examination was second out of over 330 cadets.

Taking a commission in the Essex regt., he proceeded to France. ‘He was signalling officer of our battalion’, writes the Chaplain, ‘and as such earned golden opinions during the great attack and victory on Easter Monday. Je did his work in action right through a terrible time for the battalion, and while the trench was being shelled he went out to see if his men were alright. While he was returning a shell struck the parapet of the trench, and as he could not possibly take cover he was instantaneously killed, The body was buried not far behind the front trench, and a cross placed on the grave with full particulars, so that some day, though it cannot be told now, his relatives will know where he lies’.

The Chaplin adds, in his letter to the parents, ‘It may be a comfort, and I know it will be a pride to you, to know that he died doing his gallant share in one of England’s greatest struggles and greatest victories, A very, very gallant part it was – the part of England’s bravest sons. We were all fond of him, and respected him as a good officer and a gentleman, and his death is a great loss to the battalion’.

At a meeting of the Newspaper Society in London on Wednesday the President, Captn. A. Edmund Speader, of the Western Morning News and Mr. J. S. R. Phillips of the Yorkshire Post, a member of the Council made kind reference to the sad event, the members signifying their sympathy by rising. Mr. Geo. W. Taylor, father of the deceased officer, and managing director of the Essex Weekly News was attending the conference on Tuesday when information on the loss of his son was received.”

The day’s Essex Weekly News also carried a family announcement:

“Taylor. - Killed in action on the 3rd of May, Second-Lieutenant George Francis Woodland (‘Joe’) Taylor, Essex Regt., only and dearly-loved son of George Woodland and Frances Amy Taylor, of The Red House. Chelmsford, aged 20.”

The same edition also reported:

“Sec.-Lieut. George Francis Woodland (‘Joe’) Taylor, Essex Regt., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Taylor, The Red House, Chelmsford, was killed in action in France on May 3. The deceased officer, who was 20 years of age, after preparatory training at Clare House School, Beckenham, Kent, gained an entrance scholarship to Malvern College, where he became a College Prefect; head of his House, No. 5, ‘Foster’s’; a member of the College Football XXII; and President of Athletics in 1916. He also played as wicket-keeper for the 1st XI.

On leaving Malvern College, where he served as an officer in the O.T.C., the late Mr. Taylor entered Sandhurst, and in the ‘pass-out’ examination was second out of over 330 cadets. Taking a commission in his County Regiment, the Essex, he proceeded to France, where he served until his death.

Writing in reference to the deceased, the Chaplain to the Forces says: ‘He was signalling officer of our Battalion, and as such earned golden opinions during the great attack and victory on Easter Monday. He did his work in action right through a terrible time for the Battalion, and while the trench was being shelled he went out to see if his men were all right. While he was returning a shell struck the parapet of the trench, and as he could not possibly tale cover he was instantaneously killed.

The body was buried not far behind the front trench, and a cross is placed on the grave with full and distinct particulars of his name, rank, and regiment, so that some day, though it cannot be told now, his relatives will known where he lies.’ The Chaplain adds: ‘It may be a comfort, and I know it will be a pride to you, to know that he died doing his gallant share in one of England’s greatest struggles and greatest victories. A very, very gallant part it was - the part of England’s bravest sons. We were all fond of him, and respected him as a good officer and a gentleman, and his death is a great loss to the Battalion.”

It also carried the following report:

“At a meeting of the Newspaper Society in London on Wednesday the President, Capt. A. Edmund Spender, of the ‘Western Morning News’ and Mr. J. S. R. Phillips of the ‘Yorkshire Post’, a member of the Council, made kindly reference to the sad event, the whole of the members signifying their sympathy by rising. Mr. Geo. W. Taylor, father of the deceased officer, and Managing Director of the ‘Essex Weekly News’, was attending the Conference on Tuesday when the information of the loss of his son was received.”

A week later the Essex County Chronicle included a further report on Joe:

“Further particulars have been received respecting the death of Sec.-Lieut. George Francis Woodland Taylor (‘Joe’), Essex Regt., only son of Mr, and Mrs. Geo. W. Taylor, The Red House, Chelmsford,

He was killed in action on May 3 about ten yards outside the trench, his death being instantaneous. His body was brought in and afterwards buried behind the British lines in a small cemetery not far from the resting place of his late Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. S. G. Mullock, of The Chase, Kelvedon Hatch, who fell in action on April 12.

The following tribute has been received from the late Sec.-Lieut. Taylor’s House Master at Malvern College (No. 5, ‘Fosters’s’), Mr. Frank W. Mugiston. – ‘Joe’s short life has been crowded with splendid achievements. It was but a short time ago that Mr. Philbrick wrote in glowing terms of him. Here at Malvern he won golden opinions for his sterling worth and I in particular feel a deep debt of gratitude to him for his loyal leadership in the House.

At Sandhurst he was conspicuous for his keen and intelligent interest in the life there. And now he has crowned all this by making the greatest of sacrifices. It is a record that thrills one with pride, and as one looks back upon it one thinks of his dear, unselfish nature. No truer friend ever lived – so unassuming, so rich in loveable qualities; it is a high privilege to have been in close contact with such a character.

If you could have heard, as I have heard the expressions of masters and boys alike, you would have felt all the more deeply that ‘Joe’ has not lived in vain, It is not so much that he had no enemies here, but rather that he had left behind him the impression of a most loveable and most loved boy. May you be comforted when you know what he was outside his family circle’.”

A similar report was published in the same day’s Essex Weekly News:

“Sec.-Lieut. G. F. W. Taylor - Further particulars have been received respecting the death of Sec.-Lieut. George Francis Woodland Taylor (‘Joe’), Essex Regt., only son of Mr, and Mrs. Geo. W. Taylor, The Red House, Chelmsford, It appears that he was killed in action on May 3 about ten yards outside the trench, his death being instantaneous. His body was brought in and afterwards buried behind the British lines in a small cemetery not far from the resting place of his late Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. S. G. Mullock, of The Chase, Kelvedon Hatch, who fell in action on April 12.

The following tribute has been received from the late Sec.-Lieut. Taylor’s House Master at Malvern College (No. 5, ‘Foster’s’), Mr. Frank W. Mugiston. – ‘Joe’s short life has been crowded with splendid achievements. It was but a short time ago that Mr. Philbrick wrote in glowing terms of him. Here at Malvern he won golden opinions for his sterling worth and I in particular feel a deep debt of gratitude to him for his loyal leadership in the House. At Sandhurst he was conspicuous for his keen and intelligent interest in the life there. And now he has crowned all this by making the greatest of sacrifices. It is a record that thrills one with pride, and as one looks back upon it one thinks of his dear, unselfish nature. No truer friend ever lived – so unassuming, so rich in loveable qualities; it is a high privilege to have been in close contact with such a character. If you could have heard, as I have heard today the expressions of masters and boys alike, you would have felt all the more deeply that ‘Joe’ has not lived in vain, It is not so much that he had no enemies here, but rather that he had left behind him the impression of a most loveable and most loved boy. May you be comforted when you know what he was outside his family circle’.

Mr. Harry W. Smith, who has been a Form Master at Malvern College for over 30 years, writes: ‘I never knew a young boy more conscientious, honourable, and trustworthy; and what he was in my Form he remained to the end. You have had for twenty years a son who was one in a thousand....I think it probable that he did here, in his House and the School, quietly and unconsciously, more real and lasting good than almost any other boy I have known. For myself, I have lost a friend whom I deeply respected and loved,”

On 25th May 1917 the Essex Weekly News reported:

“The War Office have now intimated that Sec.-Lieut. G. F. W. Taylor, Essex Regt., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Taylor, Chelmsford, was killed near Fampoux, Arras, France. The following inscription has been placed on the cross erected over the grave - ‘Sec/-Lieut. G. F. W. Taylor - Essex Regt., killed in action, May 4th, 1917.’ This is a day later than that originally given.”

Today Joe rests at Athies Communal Cemetery Extension, five kilometres east of Arras in Pas de Calais, France (grave: J. 9). He is commemorated on the Civic Centre Memorial, Chelmsford, and the Moulsham Parish Memorial, St John’s Church, Moulsham. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.

Joe’s uncle, and neighbour, was Frederick William Taylor.

His father, seven times Mayor of Chelmsford, died on 23rd November 1921. The Essex Chronicle reported:

“LOSS TO CHELMSFORD Death of Ald. G. W. Taylor Seven Times Mayor.

Chelmsford mourns the loss of one of its most capable men and public servants in the death of Mr. George Woodland Taylor, J.P. C.C., of the Red House, the senior Alderman of its Corporation, and Mayor the borough on seven different occasions.

He was 58 years age on the 27th of August last, and leaves a widow (formerly Miss Frances Amy Girling, youngest daughter of the late Mr. James Girling, Finsbury Park, whom he married in 1892) and daughter (Miss Kathleen Taylor), his only son having been killed the Great War on May 4, 1917.

Mr. Taylor's illness was of brief duration. He went home feeling unwell Thursday night last week, apparently suffering from a chill. He suffered a good deal of pain in the region the kidneys, but termination was apprehended until Wednesday, when his medical attendants, Dr. T. H. Waller and Dr. K. S. Storrs, decided that a specialist ought to be consulted.

The patient was growing worse, and the specialist, Dr. Cammidge, of Nottingham coming from London Wednesday afternoon, could give no hope. Rapid diabetes had supervened, and the patient was unconscious, in which state he passed away at 6.45 p.m.

Mr. Taylor the second son the late Mr. John Taylor, of Chelmsford, and two brothers survive him, Mr. Ernest Taylor and Mr. Sidney Taylor. His other brothers were Mr. John Taylor and Lieut- Col. Fred Taylor, D.L., who was a most popular .secretary of the Essex Agricultural Society, and commandant the Essex Regiment Territorials.

The father was a member of the Town Council also, serving from 1888 until 1892, in which year died while the serving Mayor. The now deceased Alderman became a Councillor in 1893, and was elected Alderman in 1900. was chosen Mayor in November, 1898, 1902, 1903, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915.

In all things he proved a strong, just man, and powerful administrator, and gave very close attention to the affairs his town, especially in regard to financial matters. He always took a firm line in opposition to any proposal to spend money unnecessarily, and his voice was often heard upon the County Council as well Town Council in advocacy of real economy in these times difficulty.

He was chairman the Finance Committee of the Corporation, which body happened, by a strange coincidence, to be sitting the evening that he passed away. In taking the chair of that meeting, Councillor F. Luokin Smith, deputy-chairman, expressed regret at that news of Ald. Taylor's illness, which called him into that position, and when a few minutes later the sad information came that the chairman had died, the members rose and stood silently while Alderman Spalding expressing profound sorrow the loss of one his oldest and best friends from schoolboy days together, and the loss also one of the best men in Chelmsford, suggested that the meeting should adjourn, which was at once resolved upon with one consent. Associated with the business of the Finance Committee is that of the Gas Works, for the carrying out of the purchase of which in 1917 Ald. Taylor was largely responsible.  

Mr. Taylor qualified as a Justice of the Peace for the county in 1903, and sat continuously on the Chelmsford Bench, of which. he was deputy - chairman at the time his death. He sat on the County Licensing Committee and was also one of the Commissioners of Taxes. He was elected to the Essex County Council in 1919 by 765 votes cast for him in the North Ward, against for 264 Mr. J. C. Pawson.

Alderman Taylor had also been chairman of the Chelmsford Education Committee since its formation. At the close of his first year as Mayor the Council and officers presented Mrs. Taylor with a framed photograph her husband in his robes of office, and an illuminated address.

In 1903, Mr. Taylor, as Mayor, received Lord Roberts, who came to Chelmsford to open the Drill Hall and he also presided at the meeting when the freedom of borough was presented to the late  Sir Evelyn Wood on his appointment as a Field-Marshal. When a few years ago his daughter came of age, the Town Council presented her with a diamond pendant. Mr. Taylor was Mayor at the time of the outbreak of war, and arranged a " Soldiers' Hall for the troops quartered in the town, first at the Shire Hall, and afterwards at the Corn Exchange. He was also chairman of the Borough Tribunal during the war.

The deceased gentleman took a great interest in all local affairs, and especially in the Chelmsford Hospital, and acted for some years until recently as chairman of the House Committee of that institution. He was also for some years until last November chairman of the Chelmsford Joint Hospital Board, from which body he retired on account of the other duties he performed. With Aid. E. C. Gray, J.P., he represented borough upon the Essex County Council, and he used spend something like three days a week on the business of that authority. At one time he also took considerable interest in politics, being a staunch Conservative. Of late, however, he had not appeared upon the political platform although he continued his interest in and support of Unionist institutions such the Chelmsford Conservative Working Men's Club.

He was an incisive, convincing speaker all occasions, and was held in great respect by all with whom came in contact, and not the least those with whom occasionally broke a lance.

Mr. Taylor was educated at King Edward VI. School at Chelmsford, and since his schooldays he has been associated with the "Essex Weekly News," of which he was the managing director. That newspaper owes much of its present influence and success to his business capacity. In his early days he was placed by his father in the reading-room of the office, and subsequently spent a short time in the printing department. Later he obtained a thorough knowledge of the details the commercial department. Mr. Taylor was also chairman of Messrs. Brown and Son, Ltd , timber merchants, Coates Wharf, Chelmsford, and had other business connections, in which he displayed great foresight and assiduity. He took his part in social institutions, and was a director of the Chelmsford Club, Ltd., a successful private club the London Road. He was likewise a member of the ancient Beefsteak Club of Chelmsford. Sport also enjoyed a share of his patronage. He was a vice - president the Essex County Cycling and Athletic Association, and other forms of sport interested him. For some years he was church warden at St. John's, of late years he had attended Widford Parish Church, near his residence.

Thus Passes a very worthy son of Chelmsford—one the whom the country owes much for their hard, quiet, loyal work in the public service. 'The feelings of all the inhabitants of Chelmsford, and of large circle outside the borough, will go out in respectful sympathy the bereaved family.

The funeral will take place Monday at the Writtle Road Cemetery at a quarter to three, and will be attended by the Mayor and Corporation of Chelmsford. Prior the interment a service for the family and immediate friends will be held at Widford Church.”

Joe’s mother died in 1940, aged 77, at Red House. The house has since been demolished.

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