Description
Military Cross, 1914-15 Star Trio, 2nd Lt Clive Wailes Taylor, Royal Fusiliers Sportsman Battalion, 1912 Olympic Games Sprinter died of wounds from a bayonet charge.
A promising Sprinter and Sportsman before and during the war, Clive Taylor who stood at over 6 foot 3 inches was Britain’s Fastest Amateur Sprinter, being second only to the Professional legendary Gold Medallist “Willie” Applegarth, at one point, Applegarth beat him by less than a yard, he also similarly lost to another Sprinter B.H. Baker by half an inch, he was exceptionally tall for a Sprinter, and much entertainment was had by the spectators during his races at the great contrast as he towered over Applegarth.
In the 1914 Track and Field Records, only 2 British Men stood in the top 10 Runners in the 100 yards sprint, Applegarth and Taylor, Clive running a 9.9, to Applegarths 9.8, and Howard Drew (USA) at the top with a 9.6.
Taylor was being eyed as one of the the finest sprinters produced in England, and a contender for the team in the 1916 Olympics, instead World War 1 broke out, and the games were cancelled, Taylor instead signed up with the “Sportsman’s” Battalion, the 24th (2nd Sportsman’s) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and spent a year fighting in France as a Private.
He returned home to a commission, in the meanwhile sprinting on numerous occasions whilst a Cadet.
He returned to France as an Officer of the 17th Royal Fusiliers, but was wounded “in 6 places” in his gallant charge on a German position who “were throwing bombs” in late 1916.
This occurred during the Capture of Beaumont-Hamel, Taylor being wounded on the first day during the main attack, in the 2 day offensive that ended the First Battle of the Somme, known as “The Battle of the Ancre”, lasting from 13-18th November 1916 (the 17th fighting through the main offensive from 13-15th), by the end of it, C.W. Taylor was amongst 7 of the Battalion’s officer wounded, with casualties amounting to 33 KIA, 125 Wounded and 22 Missing.
With his severe wound he was taken into hospital and had multiple operations, meanwhile he was recommended and awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.
The award was announced on 13th February 1917, he died only 12 days later.
His official citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry in action, he displayed great courage and coolness on several occasions, on one occasion when the enemy were throwing bombs he charged them with the bayonet, he was severely wounded.”
MEDAL DETAILS
Military Cross unnamed as issued.
1914-15 Star officially impressed: “2006 Pte. C.W. Taylor. R. Fus.”
WW1 Pair officially impressed: “2. Lieut. C. W. Taylor.”
The victory medal has an oak leaf emblem for mention in despatches, but this is unconfirmed, the medals have been display mounted.
“C. W. Taylor, who we can now class as the fastest amateur sprinter in England, ran third off scratch in the 100 yards handicap at Stamford Bridge at the Military Sports Meeting on Whit-Monday, the time being 10 1/5 seconds. He belongs to the 2nd Sportman’s Battalion.”
An obituary with Photo in the Acton Gazette, 16th March 1917:
“SECOND LIEUT C.W. TAYLOR MC
Sec Lieut Clive W. Taylor MC RF, whose death was briefly announced in our last issue was the youngest son of the late Mr W.H. Osborne Taylor and of Mrs Taylor of 105, Rusthall-Avenue, Bedford Park.
He died at the Base Hospital, Rouen, on Feb 23rd, after 3 months of intense suffering, from wounds received in action on 13th November during the successful British Advance on Beaucourt.
His injuries, which were caused by shrapnel were very severe, consisting of wounds in both legs, both arms, and two in the head.
He was awarded the Military Cross for “Conspicuous gallantry in action,” and the following paragraph appeared under his name in the list of honours published on Feb 14th last :- COPY OF CITATION
The gallant officer who had 25 years of age, was born at “The Woodlands” in Kidsgrove, Staffs. He was educated at Acton College, and afterwards passed into the Civil Service.
Lieut Taylor was a 6 foot 3 1/2 inches in his socks and was a fine athlete, obtaining the Championship Medal of the Civil Service Athletic Association on 3 occasions by winning the high jump, 100 yards and 220 yards sprints.
At the outbreak of the war he was the champion of Middlesex and Berks and Bucks at 100 yards and 220 yards.
In 1910, at the age of 19, he won the Northern Championship high jump, with a lead of 5 ft 11 inches.
He continued in his Athletic career with much brilliance until 1914, in that year running the winner of the 100 yards Northern Championship to inches in 9 4-5th seconds. and being only beaten by inches in the A.A.A. 100 yards championship of the same year, his time being 10 seconds.
When war broke out he was granted permission by the Civil Service authorities to enlist and joined the 2nd Sportsman’s Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, in October 1914.
He went out to France with the battalion in the summer of 1916 (correction disembarked Nov 1915) and was sent home to take up a commission. He was gazetted to the Royal Fusiliers on June 6 and on Sept 13 went back to France.”
“ATHLETICS, COMMISSION FOR CLIVE TAYLOR
Cadet Clive W. Taylor, gazetted 2nd Lieut in the Royal Fusiliers, is on public form the Best Amateur Sprinter in the Country.
He was Applegarth’s closest opponent before the latter went over to the professional ranks, and finished 2nd to him in the last AAA championships.
He is also a first class jumper, and has cleared 6 feet, at that form of sport, held the Northern Counties High Jump and Spring Championships, and was a most successful competitor in the Civil Service Sports. He went from the Sportsmen’s Battalion to a Cadet Corps after serving for well over a year in the ranks.”
Illustrated Sporting News, 10th March 1917, with photograph:
“With the death of Sec Lt Clive W. Taylor, of the Royal Fusiliers, who, having undergone an operation, succumbed, after several weeks of suffering, from wounds received while courageously charging the enemy with the bayonet, there has passed away one of the best of our present-day all-round athletes.
This officer was educated at the Polytechnic Day School, and was a first claim member of the Harrier Club connected with the Institute, though he subsequently joined, and in several races represented the Surrey A.C.
Having a birth qualification for the Northern Counties, he competed for the High-Jumping Championship of that district in 1910, and he won it with a splendid leap of 5ft 11 inches.
He was also second, beaten only by half an inch, to B.H. Baker in the A.A.A. Championship that year.
It was however as a Sprinter that Taylor was seen at his best.
A fine, tall, long striding runner, he afforded a great contrast in style to that of his fellow Polytechnician, W.R. Applegarth, although, in the matter of speed, there was very little to choose between them.
Taylor and Applegarth both took part in the 1 Mile Relay Race
