George Taylor (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
George Taylor CBE
, DSO
& Bar
(17 September 1905 – 17 July 1994) was a British born soldier
who served in the British Army
. According to The Independent
"he won an almost unrivalled reputation as a battle commanding officer in North-West Europe in 1944-45 before commanding brigades in the Korean war and in Kenya during the Mau Mau campaign".
George Taylor was the son of Colonel Thomas Taylor. He was born in Lancashire. He played rugby for the Army in 1931, 1933, 1935 and 1937, and went on to play for the Barbarians (rugby). He won two Distinguished Service Order
s, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
during his military career. Sir David Willcocks MC
witnessed George Taylor's skills 1st hand when they served closely together, and stated: "not only his great courage and inspiring leadership, but also the care with which we reconnoitred and planned every attack or defensive engagement, in order to minimise casualties ... his courage and concern called forth in all ranks a deep loyalty and affection."
The Independent
noted that, "by 1950 he might have been counted almost the most experienced field commander in the world: he was just 50."
. Following his first wife's death, he remarried, to Patricia De'Ath. His daughter from his 1st marriage Leonie Mary Taylor married, 1971, Hilton Nigel Matthew Seely, grandson of Sir Charles Seely, 2nd Baronet
, nephew of Sir Hugh Seely, 3rd Baronet and 1st Baron Sherwood, and great nephew of J. E. B. Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone
.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
George Taylor CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
& Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(17 September 1905 – 17 July 1994) was a British born soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
who served in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. According to The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
"he won an almost unrivalled reputation as a battle commanding officer in North-West Europe in 1944-45 before commanding brigades in the Korean war and in Kenya during the Mau Mau campaign".
George Taylor was the son of Colonel Thomas Taylor. He was born in Lancashire. He played rugby for the Army in 1931, 1933, 1935 and 1937, and went on to play for the Barbarians (rugby). He won two Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
s, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
Order of the Holy Sepulchre
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the pope. It traces its roots to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade...
during his military career. Sir David Willcocks MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
witnessed George Taylor's skills 1st hand when they served closely together, and stated: "not only his great courage and inspiring leadership, but also the care with which we reconnoitred and planned every attack or defensive engagement, in order to minimise casualties ... his courage and concern called forth in all ranks a deep loyalty and affection."
The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
noted that, "by 1950 he might have been counted almost the most experienced field commander in the world: he was just 50."
Family
In 1937 he married Isobel Maguire (d. 1975), a niece of Sir Alexander MaguireAlexander Maguire
Sir Alexander Maguire was a British industrialist who made his fortune from match manufacturing, producing the Maguire & Patterson brand amongst others.-Life:...
. Following his first wife's death, he remarried, to Patricia De'Ath. His daughter from his 1st marriage Leonie Mary Taylor married, 1971, Hilton Nigel Matthew Seely, grandson of Sir Charles Seely, 2nd Baronet
Sir Charles Seely, 2nd Baronet
Sir Charles Hilton Seely, 2nd Baronet KGStJ was a British industrialist, landowner and Liberal Unionist politician who served as Member of Parliament for Lincoln from 1895 to 1906 and for Mansfield from 1916 to 1918. He was a Justice of the Peace for Hampshire and Nottinghamshire and the Deputy...
, nephew of Sir Hugh Seely, 3rd Baronet and 1st Baron Sherwood, and great nephew of J. E. B. Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone
J. E. B. Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone
John Edward Bernard Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone CB, CMG, DSO, PC, TD was a British soldier and politician. He was a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1900 to 1904 and a Liberal MP from 1904 to 1922 and from 1923 to 1924...
.