John William Taylor’s parents had married at St. Deniol’s Church, Hawarden. (Page 181 No 361 ) on the 24th August 1892. Samuel Taylor 23 was recorded as a Bachelor, Signal Man from Dodleston whose  Father, William Taylor, was a Labourer.   Edith Caroline Dodd, 29 was a Spinster from Bannell. Her Father John Dodd, was a Farmer.

John William Taylor was baptized in Pentrobin Parish Church on 30th July 1893 (Page 177 No. 1410.) the son of Samuel, a Pointsman and his wife Edith Caroline Taylor. They  lived at Bannel.  Three years later, his sister Elsie was born on the 29th August 1896 and baptized in the same church.

On the 1901 census the family was living at Bannel, Hawarden with Edith’s parents, John  and Barbara Dodd.  Samuel Taylor, 30 was  a Railway Signalman. his wife Edith Taylor was 38. Their children were  John Wm. Taylor 7 and Elsie Taylor, 4.

The 1911 census sees the family living in Bannel, Padeswood, near Mold.  Samuel Taylor was 41 and listed as  a Farmer. His wife of 18 years wife Edith was 48.  Two children had been born and were still living. John William Taylor, 17 was a Bricklayer (Builders) and Elsie, 14 was a Domestic.

John William’s medal card accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk (filed under the slightly incorrect regimental number 254385 instead of 254355) details his medals and adds that he was formerly a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery with the number 51747. It tells us his first Theatre of war was France and he entered it on the 25th June 1915.

There is an index card for John William Taylor in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office at Hawarden. (Card, Penymynydd F 8) It gives the address  Bannel Farm, Penymynydd.  It confirms his regimental details. His period of Service was 4 years and he died of influenza  on November 13th 1918. The card was signed by Samuel Taylor (Father) 19th September 1919.

John William died 2 days after the Armistice succumbing to Influenza, (Spanish Flu), which had been raging through the Army Camps.