ROBERT TAYLOR
Born: 1877, West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Died: 10th November 1901; age: 24; Killed by lightening, at Holfontein, Free State, South Africa.
Residence: Main Street, West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Occupation: Agricultural Labourer.
Enlistment Date: 19th November 1898.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 5244.
Regiment: 15th Mounted Infantry, Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal.
CENSUS
1881 West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Robert was 3 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Samuel Taylor, 34, an Agricultural Labourer, born West Row.
Emma Taylor (nee Pitches), 33, born West Row.
Samuel Taylor, 10, born West Row.
Esther Taylor, 8, born West Row – died 1881, West Row.
Joanna Taylor, 6, born West Row.
Isaac John Taylor, 1, born West Row.
1891 West Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Robert was 13 years old, an Agricultural Labourer. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Samuel, 46, an Agricultural Labourer.
Emma, 45.
Alice Taylor, 22, born West Row.
Samuel, 20, an Agricultural Labourer.
Isaac, 11.
Matilda Taylor, 9, born West Row.
Edith Emma Taylor, 7, born West Row.
Bessie Taylor, 4, born West Row.
Charles Taylor, 1, born West Row.
Soldiers’ Effects to Samuel Taylor – father.
Robert is also remembered on the 1900 – 1902 war memorial at St. Mary’s Church, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Robert’s brother, Charlie lost his life during the First World War, when he was KiA on the 28th July 1917. Charlie was ranked a Gunner, service number 67516, for the Royal Field Artillery, ‘A’ Battery, 110th Brigade. Charlie was laid to rest at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Both Robert and Charlie are remembered on their brother, Isaac’s headstone at West Row, St. Peter’s Churchyard, Suffolk.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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