James’s father was William Henry Taylor, whose first wife Mary L. Taylor died  between the census years 1891 and 1901.  William Henry  remarried  Bessie Roach in the June Qtr. of 1897 in Cockermouth. ( Vol.10b, Page 1131).  I  believe that Bessie was the mother of James.

The 1901 census records the family  living at 47, Sussex Avenue, Hunslet, Yorkshire (West riding).   William H. Taylor, 48 was  a Roll Turner in a Steel Works who had been born in Liverpool. His wife Bessie, 43 had been born in Workington. Their listed children were William A 16 an Engine Tender who had been born in Scotland, Amy S 13 and  Evelyn, 10 had both been born in Workington. Mary L. 5 and  James R. 2 had both been born in Jarrow, Northumberland.

The 1911 census shows us that the family had moved again, this time to Wales and were living at Ridingate Villas Queensferry, Flintshire.  William H, 57 was a Rollturner. Bessie,his wife of 14 years was 53.  Eight children had been born, 2 of whom had died. The children listed in the household were Mary 15 and James, 12  who were both  at School. There was a Boarder, Herbert Allsopp.

James attended the Hawarden County School. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour there.  Please click on link.

There is an index card for James in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record office in Hawarden  (Card F22)  It gives his name as Jas Roach Taylor and the address was 8 Queens Street, Queensferry. It confirms that he served in the RAF and quotes his number 242044. It says he served for 1 year and 10 months and was killed while flying from France. The card was signed by Wm. Hy. Taylor on the 10th October. (Probably 1919 or 1920)

Flintshire Observer 18th September 1919.

QUEENSFERRY

Royal Air Force Officers Killed. – Two members of the Royal Air Force, Leiut. Wm. Eugene Coulson and Engineer James Roach TAYLOR, were killed while flying near Billingborough, Lincolnshire, late on Friday night.   At the inquest a verdict of accidently killed was returned.   While attempting to land, the machine suddenly nose-dived, and fell from a considerable height both men being killed instantly.   They were returning from overseas to an aerodrome near Lincoln.   From papers found in their possession it appeared that Engineer TAYLOR belonged to Queensferry.

Flintshire Observer 18th September 1919. – FUNERAL – The funeral of the late Engineer-Mechanic James Roach TAYLOR, took place at Hawarden Cemetery on Wednesday week.   Deceased was one of the two airmen from the Rhine who were killed near Billingborough, Lincolnshire.   Deceased was on his way home to be demobilised after two years’ service in the R.A.N.S.   He was a promising lad of 20, and served his early apprenticeship at Sandycroft Foundry.   The Services, which were very impressive, were conducted by the Brethren, of which his parents are promising local leaders, and he was buried with full military honours.   The cortege was followed by a number of his fellow apprentices from the Sandycroft Foundry, and there were many wreaths, including one from the mother of the pilot who was killed with him.