Taylor, Francis Edward

Francis Taylor was born on February 14, 1884 in Medicine Hat, N.W.T. to parents William and Charity Taylor. He grew up in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge with siblings Ella, William, Lillian and Henry. As a young man, Francis moved to British Columbia, where he was employed as a locomotive engineer. Shortly after enlisting, Francis married his wife, Elizabeth, but upon her arrival in Lethbridge to wait out the war with his family, she was given the sad news that her husband had been killed. On November 7, 1914, Francis Taylor enlisted with the 29th Battalion CEF in Vancouver, British Columbia. Pte Taylor embarked for England aboard the RMS Messanabie, and remained in England until embarking for France on September 17, 1915. He would serve with the 29th Battalion for just under two months, seeing action in Belgium. On November 6, 1915, Pte Taylor was killed in action near Ypres. He was laid to rest at Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery. Francis Taylor was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His wife, Elizabeth received the Memorial Cross and death plaque in honour of her husband. His mother, Charity also received the Memorial Cross in his memory