Frederick Thomas John Taylor, usually known as ‘Mac’ Taylor, was a son of Frederick and Mary Louise Taylor. He attended Badsey School from 1917 until 1926. At the outbreak of War in 1939, he was a bricklayer’s labourer, living with his family at 6 Council Cottages, Pitchers Hill. He joined the Royal Artillery, in 1940, as a Despatch Rider (No. 1587374) and served until May 1946. He was in the 67th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, which was reformed in January 1945 as the 623rd Infantry Regt, Royal Artillery. The 67th was based in England and Scotland during the War. The 623rd saw service in N.W. Europe with the 307th Infantry Brigade in 1945, so Taylor may have served overseas for a few months.
He had been a motorcyclist before the War. He married Alice May Hughes at St Peter’s Church, Bengeworth, in September 1940, when he was a Private in the Royal Artillery. He had been a goalkeeper for Wickhamford F. C. and had worked at Evesham-based builders and merchants Messrs Wheeler & Mansell Ltd, before enlisting. After the War he was a member of the Badsey and Wickhamford Royal British Legion and also Secretary of Wickhamford Football Club and a Trustee of Wickhamford Memorial Hall. He died in 1975 and was buried in Wickhamford on 11th November, leaving a wife and son.
With thanks to Hazel Smith (niece of Frederick Taylor) for supplying these photos.