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George Taylor (British Army officer)

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George Taylor
Born(1905-09-17)17 September 1905
Lancashire, England
Died17 July 1994(1994-07-17) (aged 88)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Years of service1929–1958
RankBrigadier
Service number32461
UnitWest Yorkshire Regiment
Commands49th Infantry Brigade
28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade
2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Battles / warsSecond World War
Korean War
Mau Mau Uprising
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Holy See)

Brigadier George Taylor, CBE, DSO & Bar (17 September 1905 – 17 July 1994) was a senior officer in the British Army.

Military career

Taylor was commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment on 2 February 1929. He saw action in the Norwegian campaign and, after being evacuated, then took part in the Normandy landings. He became commanding officer of the 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in July 1944 and, after capturing a Tiger Tank, was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order; he won a bar to his DSO at the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. According to The Independent, "he won an almost unrivalled reputation as a battle commanding officer in North-West Europe in 1944–45", and, by July 1955, "he might have been counted almost the most experienced field commander in the world".

He went on to command the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade in Korea in the Korean War at the Battle of Kapyong and in Operation Commando. He later commanded the 49th Infantry Brigade in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising.

Sir David Willcocks witnessed George Taylor's skills 1st hand when they served closely together, and stated: "not only his great courage and inspiring leadership, but also the care with which we reconnoitred and planned every attack or defensive engagement, in order to minimise casualties ... his courage and concern called forth in all ranks a deep loyalty and affection."

He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1955. He died in July 1994.

References

  1. "No. 39241". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 May 1952. p. 2991.
  2. The Army List 1990, part II, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, page 616
  3. ^ "Obituaries: Brigadier George Taylor". The Independent. London. 9 August 1994. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  4. The Times, London. Obituaries, "Brigadier George Taylor" 20 July 1994
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