TAYLOR, George Richard
| Service Numbers: | 318735, 36134 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 May 1936, Enlisted in the Army Militia for three years, and after the six month period commenced the pilot training program in Point Cook RAAF Base, Victoria, Australia. |
| Last Rank: | Squadron Leader |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Kew, Victoria, Australia, 15 April 1918 |
| Home Town: | Brighton, Bayside, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Carey Grammar, Kew / Brighton Grammar / Melbourne Grammar and Taylor's Coaching College, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Wool Classer |
| Died: | Air operations, Germany, 13 August 1941, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery Burial reference: - Plot 4. Row B. Grave 9. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Melbourne Cricket Club WW2 Honour Roll |
Non Warlike Service
| 14 May 1936: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Post WW1), 318735, Enlisted in the Army Militia for three years, and after the six month period commenced the pilot training program in Point Cook RAAF Base, Victoria, Australia. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 1938: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, After completion of his pilot training at Point Cook, in 1938 he received a short-term five-year commission to train to fly bombers for the RAF in the UK and transfer to England, RAF Service number: 36134. |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Squadron Leader, 36134 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Squadron Leader (Pilot) Taylor DFC 36134 RAF was killed in the loss of 207SQN RAF Avro Manchester L7377 which was shot down and crashed at Gross-Beeren near Berlin, Germany - also killed were Pilot Officer J J Nottidge, Flight Sergeant T Beattie, Flight Sergeant G R Birt
Sergeant D H McPhail died of injuries; Flight Sergeant Wetherill became a prisoner of war
George Taylor completed his initial flying training as an Air Cadet at Point Cook, Vic, graduating in December 1937; he was discharged from the RAAF early in 1938 and appointed soon afterwards to the RAF.
While holding the rank of Flying Officer he took part in the first night bombing raid on Berlin on the night of 25/26 August 1940; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 13 September 1940. The citation states that he had 'completed 32 successful operational flights as captain of aircraft' and had several times found his target 'regardless of adverse weather conditions and severe enemy opposition'. The citation also praises 'his devotion to duty and his determination in pressing home his attacks', and mentions his courage, reliability and excellent example.
Appointed Acting Squadron Leader in June 1941 while flying with 207 Squadron, George Taylor was killed in action on 13 August 1941 when his aircraft was shot down during a bombing raid on Berlin. He is commemorated at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Charlottenburg, Germany.
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