Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Hugh Taylor was born in Stawell, Victoria, in February 1888, to John and Alice (née Rees) Taylor. He was the youngest of five children. At some stage before 1914 the Taylor family moved to Corryong, where they ran the general store. Hugh was also the secretary for the Upper Murray Rifle Club for five years.

On the 31st of August, 1915, Hugh enlisted in the 1st AIF, being allotted the Regimental Number 3633 and becoming a member of the 8th Reinforcements for the 24th Battalion. Early in the new year, the 8th Reinforcements boarded HMAT A19 Afric at the Port of Melbourne. Arriving in Alexandria on 21 March they transferred to HMT Oriana, disembarking at the Port of Marseilles, France six days later.

On the 12th of October 1916, the Corryong Courier published one of Hugh’s letters to Mr Moore describing his first taste of action. This occasion of him being wounded, which happened prior to the 12th of August, is not listed in his service records.

“It was hell, and hell, and hell again. When we got back from the firing line I was not the only one who shed tears. We are getting fit again, and ready for the next. The position we took was well worth the price we paid for it. I can’t tell you the exact position but will give you a few details. My Company started off on the 6th, carrying a spade, a rifle, and other gear, including our steel helmet, which we even slept in and got to the sap leading to our trenches. We were going along this in great style when Fritz started shelling us. Fancy being in a trench and shells bursting all round, with dirt, sticks and stones flying all over you. These trenches are not made for men like Mr. Cronin. Neither are they straight, so when a fellow starts to run he generally bumps from one side to another. I believe we got to the end of this sap without a casualty, but from here we had to run across open country to the front line, and our only cover was the shell holes. I’II never forget this run across this No Man’s Land. What with flares and shells bursting it was as light as day. I couldn’t help thinking as I saw our chaps doubling along what a splendid target we were. All of a sudden I was lifted off my feet, and found myself lying on the ground. I soon hopped up but couldn’t find rifle or spade anywhere. I ran on and soon found myself another rifle, but to my surprise I could just lift it. I had been hit in the arm with a small piece of shell. As soon as I joined up, I got one of my mates to bandage my arm. We all carry a field dressing in a special pocket. You will all want to know what it is like having shells bursting around you. Well, when Will Davis is wielding a heavy tyre just stand alongside and imagine that each strike is half-a-dozen shells bursting, and you will have a small idea of what it is like. Henley on the Yarra at night time will give you a FAINT idea of what it looks like here. However, it is over. We captured the last two lines of trenches and a ridge, and are now in billets for a spell. While marching last week we were inspected by the King. I have had a shave and a wash, and feel more like myself. I was for over a week and never had a wash or a shave. Gosh! I must have looked a sight. Red whiskers and black dirt… French people are jolly hard to understand. In our billet there is well, and the old lady seems to have a great objection to us using the water. However, when she is not about we help ourselves. I can’t say I admire the sanitary arrangements of the villages, and the smells are anything but desirable. One of the lads came in with a tin of preserved peaches tonight, which cost him 2/6. So we cannot go in for tinned fruits. We can buy eggs for 21/2d each, and they are easily cooked. I met Jack Walton the day before he was wounded, also saw Hibbard, Harold Harris, Percy Briggs (wounded), Bill Sharp, Dick Low and Hector Chitty. They are all well.”

On the 14th of November 1916, Hugh was again wounded with a gunshot wound to his left arm. This time his wound was serious enough for him to be taken to the 5th Field Ambulance before being transferred to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station where he remained for a week before rejoining his battalion. 

On the 4th of October 1917, the British Second Army launched an attack to gain control of Broodseinde Ridge. This particular position commanded the eastern approaches to the town of Ypres. It allowed German artillery observers to direct fire into the Allied positions. The operation would involve twelve divisions, almost 150000 men, advancing along a front of thirteen kilometres. For the first time during the war it would bring together four ANZAC Divisions (three Australian and one New Zealand) to take on a key objective.

Among the 6500 casualties taken by the Australian Divisions was Lance Corporal Hugh Taylor. Different witnesses claim that he was sniped through the head with death being instantaneous, while others claim that he was hit by a shell splinter. Initially, he was buried in the German cemetery near the ridge, however, after the war, it was not possible to relocate his grave. Hugh is now remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium, along with 54000 officers and men whose graves are not known.

Hugh is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Flanders, Belgium, the Corryong State School Roll of Honour, and the Corryong War Memorial. For his service during the First World War, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

John and Alice received a letter from Hugh’s commanding office and had it published in the 23rd of May 1918’s edition of the Corryong Courier.

“As your son, Hugh, and I were close personal friends, I am writing on behalf of my O.C. in reply to your letter of enquiry concerning his death. I would have written earlier but for the fact that I was away from the battalion at the time and found it difficult to obtain full particulars. Even now, however, I am afraid the particulars I am able to give you are very meagre. He fell about 300 yards from the furthest objective of the battalion at Broodseinde Ridge, near Ypres, on 4th oct. He was struck by a shell splinter and death was instantaneous. He was buried on the field of battle and a small wooden cross now marks the spot where he lies. When I first joined the battalion as a private in 1916 my place in the hut that we occupied was next to Hugh and from that time we were close friends. We have been together in places where friendships are quickly cemented, and I feel that I am able to appreciate in a small degree the sacrifice you have made and the great loss you have sustained in his death. I, personally, feel his loss very keenly, though I feel how inadequate must be any expression of sympathy towards your loss. Hugh had a disposition that I always envied - cheerful under the most trying circumstances, and his generous instincts made him well liked, not only in his own platoon but throughout the whole company. It will be comfort to you, I am sure, to feel that he died as he had lived - a true christian and a brave man, fighting for his country in the cause of Right and Justice. I would regard it as a privilege if at any time I am able to give you any further information or to do anything for you over here.”