| Hugh Taylor was the son of James and Elizabeth Taylor. James Taylor married Elizabeth Neill on 6th July 1887 in the district of Cookstown.
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| Hugh Taylor was born in Cookstown on 4th June 1895. He was one of 10 children, nine surviving.
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| The 1901 census lists Hugh as age 5, living with the family at house 29 in Millburn Street, Cookstown. His father was a labourer, possibly born in Scotland.
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| Known family: James Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Thomas James Taylor (born 27th May 1888), Anabella Annie Taylor (born 20th May 1890), Emma Jane Taylor (born 19th July 1892), Hugh Taylor (born 4th June 1895), Margaret Taylor (born 21st March 1898), Mabel Taylor (born 31st July 1900), William Taylor (born 27th October 1901), Oliver Taylor (born 6th June 1904), Kelly / Isabella Taylor (born 6th August 1906, died 4th June 1907),Samuel Taylor (born 14th December 1907).
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| The 1911 census lists Hugh as age 16, living with the family at house 30 in Gortalowry, Cookstown. Hugh was, like his two older sisters, a mill worker. His father was described as a skilled labourer.
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| Hugh Taylor worked at Gunning’s Factory, Milburn.
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| Hugh enlisted with 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Cookstown.
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| 1916
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| Private Hugh Taylor was serving with 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916. He was for some time reported missing.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 12th July 1916:
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| Private Thomas Taylor, Waterloo Terrace, Cookstown, wounded. Private Hugh Taylor, missing, believed killed, brother of above. Private J Taylor, wounded in the leg is a relative of the above.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916: Private Thomas Taylor (Brother of Hugh Taylor)
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| Private Thomas Taylor, Waterloo Terrace, writes to his wife that he is wounded and in hospital.
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| Private Hugh Taylor, missing, believed killed, is a brother of the above.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916: Private Thomas Taylor (Brother of Hugh Taylor)
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| Private Thomas Taylor, whose wife resides at Waterloo Terrace, Cookstown, writes that he is in hospital, but getting on all right. He was sorry to say that the cost of the advance on July 1st was terrible. There were only four left in his platoon. His brother Hugh, he fears, was killed. He was wounded in the first of the German trenches and had not been seen or heard of since. All the captains got killed and there were hardly 100 men in his battalion. He saw Joe Taylor in hospital wounded through the leg, but getting on well. The Germans suffered severely. Their trenches were piled with dead and they suffered in hundreds. Nat Thom was killed too, shot through the head and never spoke. Indeed, nearly all his chums are knocked out and he is thankful to be in a condition to write home.
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| Hugh’s sister Annie Taylor, who was living at Milburn Street, enquired as to his fate. She received a letter from Major Peacock of the 9th Inniskillings.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 12th August 1916:
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| Miss Annie Taylor, Milburn Street, Cookstown, in reply to an enquiry regarding her brother, Private H Taylor, had received the following letter from Major Peacock of the 9th Inniskillings:
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| ‘I regret to inform you that your brother, Private H Taylor, of my battalion, is missing since the 1st July. He took part in the gallant attack made by the Ulster Division on that date. Every enquiry has been made regarding his fate, but without result. I cannot ask you to entertain any forlorn hopes of his turning up alive as I am afraid he fell on that occasion. He was a good soldier and a loyal comrade. Please accept the sincere sympathy of all ranks in the battalion in your great loss.’
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| Hugh’s older brother, Private Thomas Taylor, whose wife lived at Waterloo Terrace, Cookstown, was injured at the Somme (most likely on that day). Thomas survived the war.
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| 1918
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th July 1918:
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| TAYLOR – In fond remembrance of our dear son, No 27688. Private Hugh Taylor, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 1st July 1916.
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‘He fell at his post like a soldier brave,
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He answered his Master’s call,
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He sleeps far away in a hero’s grave,
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For his country’s cause he did fall.
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But the hardest part is yet to come,
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When the heroes do return,
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And we miss among the cheering crowd,
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The face of our dear son.’
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| Deeply regretted by his father, mother, brothers and sisters, Millburn Street, Cookstown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th July 1918:
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| TAYLOR – In loving memory of my dear brother, No 27688. Private Hugh Taylor, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 1st July 1916.
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‘When we last saw his smiling face,
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He looked so strong and brave,
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We little thought how soon we would,
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Be laid in a soldier’s grave.
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A lonely grave in a foreign land,
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A grave we may never see,
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But so long as life and memory lasts,
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We will remember thee.’
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| Forever remembered by his sister Annie; also his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Annie Taylor, Waterloo Crescent, Cookstown.
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| Memorials
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| Private Hugh Taylor is one of the few Cookstown men killed on that day to have a known grave. He is buried at Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval, France.
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| Private Hugh Taylor is commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph, Gunning’s Factory Memorial (Royal British Legion Cookstown) and St. Luran’s Church of Ireland Roll of Honour, Derryloran, Cookstown.
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