Description
Queen’s South Africa, no clasp, Chief Stoker George Taylor, HMS Partridge, who died on board this ship during the Boer War on 30th January 1901.
Officially impressed: “G. Taylor Ch. Sto H.M.S. Partridge”
Scarce to this ship smaller ship, with only about 161 medals issued and an unfortunate wartime casualty.
His service record notes that he was “Discharged Dead on 30th January 1900, Died on Board the Partridge from Pneumonia”
George Taylor was born on 12th March 1864 in Langley, Kent.
George had an impeccable record in the Royal Navy, and was closing in on a good pension, as soon as the Boer War would end, he would have got his 20 year pension in 1902 and had a chance to retire.
His service were each and every time graded as “VG” or Very Good.
Having first signed on as a Stoker 2nd Class on 27th October 1882 for 10 years at HMS Pembroke, he would see steady advance up the ranks:
Stoker, 1st January 1885, HMS Goshawk
Leading Stoker, HMS Pembroke, 3rd March 1893.
Leading Stoker 1st Class, HMS Pembroke, 1st April 1893
Acting Chief Stoker, 26th February 1894, before joining the Buzzard for 3 years.
Chief Stoker, 26th February 1895, HMS Buzzard.
He had joined the Partridge as Chief Stoker on 4th May 1899 and served until his death on board on 30th January 1901.
His service records also note that about 1898 he had been “Invalided at Chatham Hospital” but was later “7.12.1898 To be re-surveyed at Chatham and re-entered if fit.” a discharge then might have saved his life.
