Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for Richard Reginald Rees Taylor, generally known as Reginald Taylor, a native of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War.

The information on Reginald Taylor comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

The above details were kindly submitted to YEARGROUP by Mr. D. Richards a relative of the family. Mr. Richards informed me that the parents and siblings of Richard Reginald Rees Taylor are buried in Seion Chapel Glais Clydach.

Reginald Taylor's death in action was reported in the Llais, 31st August 1918:-

Official news has been received of the death in action in France, four weeks ago, of Private Reginald Taylor, son of Mr Taylor, Midland Terrace Gurnos. Deceased, who was about 20 years of age, was employed at the Yniscedwyn tinplate works prior to enlisting.

The death of Reginald Taylor's father was reported in The Labour Voice newspaper of Saturday January 8th 1927:-

Death of Mr Wm. Taylor, Pen-y-Gurnos

We regret to record the death of a highly respected inhabitant in the person of Mr Wm. Taylor, who died at his home, 6 Midland Terrace, Pen-y-Gurnos, on Friday last, at the age of 74. Mr Taylor, who was a native of Hereford, came to this district about 50 years ago, and had been employed as a ganger on the Midland Railway from that time until three years ago when his eyesight failed. He had also been in failin health for the last 12 months. HIs wife predeceased him 25 years ago, and he leaves six grown-up children to mourn the loss of a most devoted and loving father.

The funeral, which was for men only, was attended by a large nuumber of deceased's fellow workmen and friends, many of whom travelled to Glais by train and motor, the internment being in the family grave at Seion burial ground. Rev J Secundus Jones conducted a service at the house, and at Seion Chapel a short but impressive service was conducted by the Rev W.R. Bowen, BA, pastor of Seion, assisted by the Rev Ifor Jones, Ystalyfera, and the Rev A Jones, BA Clydach. The former dwelt upon the kindly, unassuming character of the departed, and upon his love for, and devotion to his children. At the graveside the service was read by the Rev J Secundus Jones, and the hymn 'Bydd myrdd o ryfeddodau' was sung. The bearers were four of Mr Taylor's old fellow workers, Messrs Chas. Moore, Edward Hall, Edmund Davies and A Murray.

The chief mourners were, Mesrs Jas. Taylor, Harry Taylor and Will Taylor (sons), Dd. Griffith Taylor, Henry Taylor (grandsons), Messrs Phillip Powell, Dd. Richards, Richard Richards (brothers in law), Messrs Fredy Moss, Ben Powell, Nehemiah Richards, Jas Richards (nephews), Wm Edwards, Richard Richards, Edgar Jenkins (cousins). The undertaker was Mr Edgar O. Morgan.

Reginald Taylor was one of 14 men of Cwmtwrch remembered at a memorial service held in February 1919. The write-up in the Llais described his service thus:-

Private Richard Reginald Taylor M.G.C. Enlisted September 10th 1917. Fell in action. France July 28th 1918