2617361 Guardsman John TAYLOR, 6 Grenadier Guards: Tunisia 17/03/1943

Hiya, new to this site but finally getting around to looking into my grandads side of the family and it seemed the correct place to be.

my great grandad John Taylor number 2617361 of the 6th battalion grenadier guards died in North Africa in march 1943, I’m just wondering if anyone is able to help with any information on him and at the longest shot any pictures (highly unlikely I know)

my grandad also a former grenadier guard has told me many story’s of his time in the guards would be good to get some more information as he was only 3 when his dad died.

thanks
Jordan

 

Hello and welcome to the forum

• The war diary transcript for 6GG in 1943 can be found via War Diary: 6th Motor Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1943 . It includes an action report on the Horseshoe battle, also with a link to Gallery images of diary itself.
• Grenadier Guards, 6th Motor Battalion, Account 16 March 1943 | WW2Talk

Capt Winder RAMC, MO for 6GG, also gave a very graphic account of his experiences of the battle as well as the aftermath. You may want to either skip that or review it before passing anything on.

• 6th Battalion Grenadier Guards, March 1943, Captain Winder, R.A.M.C.

If you haven't already got a copy of the Regt History, Volume 2 which covers 6GG in Tunisia, can be found online at

• The Grenadier Guards in the war of 1939-1945 / by Nigel Nicolson and Patrick Forbes v.2.

The Mareth Cross, commemorating 6GG, was recovered from the battlefield and is now sited at Wellington Barracks, outside the Guards Chapel. Afraid many of the images I previously uploaded to the forum, on threads linked here in this post, have been lost. Fortunately those taken by Clive of the Cross are still viewable.

• The Mareth Cross

Forum member Takrouna also visited the battlefield a couple of years ago -

• On This Day: destruction of the Guards Bde at 'Horseshoe' battle, TUNISIA, 16/03/1943

Just for record, full CWGC details and link for your g. grandfather
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2183472/john-taylor/
GUARDSMAN JOHN TAYLOR
Service Number: 2617361
Regiment & Unit: 6th Bn. Grenadier Guards
Date of Death: Died 17 March 1943
Buried or commemorated at SFAX WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: II. BB. 18.
Location: Tunisia
Additional Info: Husband of Beatrice K. Taylor, of Springhill, Birmingham.
Personal Inscription: OUT OF A WORLD OF SORROW INTO A HAVEN OF REST. REMEMBERED ALWAYS BY WIFE AND CHILDREN


Have a look at this website - some GG training squad photos, etc

• Grenadier Guards: Wilson Art Prints Collection

Otherwise keeping an eye out for sales of images on usual auction sites, incl eBay, might be worth it.
Another long shot would be to also contact GG Archivist at Wellington Barracks.

 

To supplement dbf's knowledge there are a number of threads here which can be id'd using an online search: "6 Grenadier Guards" + "Tunisia" site:ww2talk.com At a glance a couple refer to the day before his death and some indicate they have photos.

Some research tips next via PM, includes applying for his service records. Good luck.