Hi Interested in Fletcher Clare TAYLOR Marine PO/216140. Marine Fletcher Clare Taylor | War Casualty Details 2953701 | CWGC It appears he may have been murdered at Nova Scotia although records indicate 'killed' and 'drowned'. Marine. Fletcher Clare Taylor Royal Navy HMS President III Royal Marines The Wartime Memories Project Would anyone have any more information on him ? Also his brother William Bligh Taylor, also a Marine, is supposed to have been killed during the war but I can find no trace of him at all. Any help would be most gratefully accepted, Regards, Graeme
Using I did find two possible entries: In the 1871 census at 10 & 11 Trim Street, Bath: William B Taylor, aged ... ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY. DIED FEBRUARY 2ND 1927. From this (with 400 pgs): https://www.batharchives.co.uk/sites/bath_record_office/files/LAN Section 4 Rows A-I2 updated_2.pdf Then: William B. TAYLOR ... Royal Marine & Farm Laborer. From: http://whitlockfamilyassociation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/sources/Census/England/London & Middlesex.pdf Have you applied for the deceased's service record? Even a coroner's report / inquest in Pictou, Nova Scotia? Or the nearest town that had a coroner. The Pictou town 3k population has its own council and the RCMP police the district. Perhaps an inquiry with either could identify where the coroners is based and any local history group? See: Town Staff - Town of Pictou and general info: Pictou - Wikipedia The town is within Pictou County with 30k re4sidents, the county council website does not display a coroner though: Departments & Services Ah, the coroners equivalent now is a provincial public office; just perhaps they will help! See: Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service | novascotia.ca There was a shipyard at Pictou in WW2, so perhaps the deceased was there to collect a ship, rather than an assembly point for convoys which is another explanation. It is on the northern coast of Nova Scotia, away from Halifax the main port. See: Pictou Shipyard - Wikipedia I note HMS President III was the admin. centre for the DEMS personnel (there is a thread on DEMS currently): DEMS gunner losses It alas no mention of Pictou or a Taylor.
Morning, Many thanks for the replies. A strange business as I am led to believe that the family firmly believes he was murdered. He enlisted in the R.M. on 10 January 1918 and served continuously until his death. His service record records 'drowned'. Still cannot trace his brother. Regards, Graeme
The only thing I can add is that he was missing from ss HARMONIC and presumed he fell into the harbour at night. It is likely there will be a mention of the incident in the Ship's Official Logbook although it will probably contain what is already written. But there may or may not be more. MN ship logbooks for the war years are held at Kew - they are large documents which hold a year's worth of information from crew lists, statutory drills, crew discipline and incidents etc so I would always advise you obtain what you are looking for by visit to Kew or via a researcher familiar with searching MN records. The Ship's Official Logbook for HARMONIC official number 161490 for the year 1940 is held at Kew in piece BT 381/1035 I am sure you are also aware that family lore can put you down a rabbit hole but who knows in this case. Re: William B. He was born I believe in 1896 being a year older than his brother and they were born in Nottinghamshire. Given his age if he was also in the marines then he would probably be a pensioner for DEMS service like his brother. I have had a quick look but so far nothing on him. There is a service record available for Fletcher Clare but I presume you have that? Regards Hugh
Morning Hugh, Many thanks for the response and advice. Yes, I have Fletcher's record but cannot trace that of his brother which is odd given his DoB. Many thanks again, Graeme
Hi Graeme, I have found his RM service record for WWI, he enlisted in 1915 and was demobbed in 1919. Regards Hugh
