Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur Maudlock Taylor was born in March 1890 to Maria Haynes Taylor, and was raised in Thetford England in the Church of England tradition. He received compulsory  education and in the early 20th century, embarked for Adelaide. Taylor became a labourer and may have undertaken a variety of jobs, including factory work, bricklaying, and digging. 

On the 15th of April 1915, at the age of 25 years and one month, Arthur enlisted in the Australian Infantry Force (AIF). He was posted to D Company base infantry as a Private. Taylor received minimal training before being assigned to the 10th Battalion 8th Reinforcement on the 12th of May. Training conditions at the barracks were poor with few amenities for hygiene and sanitation for the thousands of troops that enlisted.

On the 2nd of September 1915, Arthur embarked at Adelaide on HMAT A68 Anchises for Lemnos Island. Shortly after arriving, the 10th Battalion had to travel again to Alexandria on HMAT Seang Bee, to receive further training before being deployed on the Western Front. TAfter disembarking at Alexandria, Taylor proceeded to Serapeum where he was transferred to the 50th Battalion before later being transferred to the newly created 111th Battery  24th Field Artillery brigade with the rank of Gunner on the 14th of March 1916. Arthur was trained with field artillery, regularly “conducting shell practice” in preparation for departure to the Western Front. On the 3rd of June, Arthur embarked on HMT Elele for Marseilles and by the 3rd of July, the unit had “successfully manned all gun positions” at Armentieres on the Bois Grenier front, consistently suffering from German bombardments and trench attacks. To assist with suppressing the enemy, the 111th Battery conducted frequent shelling of the German front lines.

In preparation for the attack on Fromelles, the unit marched to the Croix region and on the 18th of July, began relentless and “severe bombardments” on enemy positions in anticipation for the ground assault by the 8th, 14th and 15th Infantry Brigades. “The [ANZAC] soldiers had succeeded in breaking into the German system, but not in breaking through it”, eventually being pushed back by a German counter offensive. This most likely failed because of the rushed attack preparations, lack of experience and underestimation of German power. It is still commonly regarded as the worst day in ANZAC history, resulting in over 5000 casualties.  

The 111th Battery along with multiple other units completed “mobile field artillery training” at Esqueredes to prevent a disaster like Fromelles ever occurring again. After completing this training, the unit marched through numerous locations on the Western Front including Ypres, consistently bombarding the German frontlines in the “cold, wet and muddy” conditions. On the 9th of December 1916 at Fleurs, Taylor demonstrated tremendous bravery when carrying his friend Sergeant Michael James “Toohey to the dressing station”.  Toohey who was hit by a “shelling burst, received 22 wounds” and later died of wounds.

Supply constraints in respect of the Howitzer guns caused the brigades to be broken up. Arthur was then posted to the 41st Battery 11th Field Artillery Brigade on the 25th of January 1917.On the 29th of May 1917, the unit left Vaulx for Messines in preparation for an allied offensive and arrived the following day. Headquarters instructed the unit to launch artillery attacks on the German gun positions at 3 am on the 7th of June 1917 to aid with the attack on the German frontline at Messines. These preparations had actually commenced a year prior when General Plumer’s tunnelling companies placed 19 mines containing over a million pounds of high explosives. On the day of the attack at 3:10 am, the mines were detonated killing as many as 10,000 German soldiers. The artillery bombardment aided in this attack, creating a “creeping barrage” that gave protection to the soldiers from the 4th, 11th and 24th divisions. The disoriented Germans fell swiftly, and the counter attacks were quickly repulsed. This attack is regarded as one of the most successful First World War battles for the Allies.

Arthur received multiple promotions during his time of service. He demonstrated immense leadership amongst the 41st Battery and was promoted to Temporary Bombardier in June 1917 (26/6/17) for a period of four days. Although a temporary position, due to the leadership skills he demonstrated in this time, he received a promotion to Bombardier. Typically, this would require Taylor to place ammunition in the chamber for the gunners to fire.

On the 15th of July 1917, whilst being transported from Nieppe to Dikkebus, an aircraft raid  befell on the unit’s position killing 35 horses and inflicting numerous casualties. This event would have taken its toll on the units’ moral, however did not impact the batteries’ performance, being later thanked by Sergeant William Napier for “excellent bombardment on the German positions which minimised causalities” when taking an unknown location at Ypres.

Arthur was promoted to Corporal in November 1917 (10/11/17). This promotion would have required Taylor to develop immense responsibility, as he was now in charge of anywhere from 7-14 gunners as well as being in charge of a crew. By early 1918, he had developed his reputation as a Corporal and was promoted to temporary Sergeant in January 1918 (29/1/1918) before proceeding on leave on the 19th of February. 

On the 6th of March 1918, Arthur rejoined his battery from leave and was soon promoted to Sergeant (29/4/18). This is a major achievement in Taylor’s military career as Sergeant is the first non-commissioned officer rank. This meant that he was second in command of a platoon of up to 50 soldiers. This promotion suggested he was well respected amongst his fellow soldiers, skilled in artillery and had displayed incredible leadership.

On the 31st of August 1918, Arthur left his battery on a special detachment, being assigned to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery at Heytesbury, England. The unit celebrated the announcement of an armistice in late 1918. Later, orders were received from the Commanding Officer stating that soldiers that were not fit for another deployment were to be released from the R.B.A.A.

After being released, Arthur trained at the Overseas Training Brigade at Long Deverill from the 13th of January 1919 to his departure on 19th of February. He embarked on HT Orca (later named SS Calgaric) and disembarked at Adelaide on the 29th of March 1919. Conditions on this boat were most likely sanitary, due to the reduced pressure and decreased cramming of the passenger ships. Arthur was later discharged from the Australian army, having served a total of 4 years and 44 days.

Arthur Maudlock Taylor settled in Renmark, South Australia and died on the 16th of November 1964. He was later buried on the 27th of January 1966 at Centennial Park Cemetery (Lot D03). Arthur will always be remembered by Australians because of his service, sacrifice and dedication to the Commonwealth. Arthur will additionally be remembered for his bravery and the ANZAC spirit that he so often demonstrated during his time of service.

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