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embarked from Sydney on 1st May 1916. According to the nominal roll
he returned to Australia as a Lance Corporal, a significant achievement
and evidence of a high standard of service. He returned to Australia on
22nd July 1917, this early return was probably a result of the ruling
regarding the early return of any soldier aged more than 40 years.
The name Smith was a very common name in the community and
therefore also in the AIF ranks. The AIF project indicated that the name
was twice as common as the next common name. This means that I am
not completely sure that the Smith on the plaque and certificate is this
particular individual man.
Further Research
If you have different or additional information I would
be happy to add correct information.
William Robert Taylor (Regimental No 2426 )
William Robert Taylor was a miner who listed the Redhead Post Office
Redhead as his address. He was 33 years old and married to Mrs Phoebe
Taylor of Brunker Road Adamstown NSW. She was listed as his next of
kin. William enlisted on 17th April 1916. He was a Private in the 36
th
Battalion 4
th
Regiment. After training in Australia he embarked on the
transport A30 Borda from Sydney on 17th October 1916.
In his enlistment paper, the Attestation paper, his medical report indicated
that he had extensive tattoos. After many hospital sessions due to chronic
gastric ulcers he was discharged from the AIF because of medical
unfitness and returned to Australia. Due to the wartime conditions the
timing of the return trip was not disclosed, but it was about May 1917.
The Medical Board refused him a pension as his condition was not
attributed to wartime conditions but had been diagnosed at Wallsend six
years earlier. William had four daughters – Alice Muriel, Florence Pearl,
Elizabeth May and Daphne.
Taylor was one of four brothers who served. He died in 1922.
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