Patrick Gordon TAYLOR, GC, OBE, MC
The stories of all the recipients have now been told in Marion Hebblethwaite's series One Step Further but she is bringing out an Appendix with new information so please contact her on 01993 880223 or info@gc-database.co.uk if you are related or can add to what is already published.
See Home page for more on the books or to buy them.
No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Captain
Unit/Occupation: Navigator and relief pilot in civil aviation ex RAAF
Date and Place of Birth: 20th October 1896, Mosman, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Family: Married Eileen J. Broadwood in 1938, two daughters. Married 1951, Joyce Kennington, one son and two daughters
Early Life: "Bill" Taylor served as an army cadet and Senior Prefect whilst at the Armidale School and enlisted aged 18 in 1915. He was impatient for active service, however, and gained his discharge in order to travel to England at his own expense to enlist in the Royal Flying Corps. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the RFC on 14th August 1916 and saw active service in France from March 1917 with 66 Sqn. He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery in more than forty offensive patrols, at low altitude and under heavy fire. The citation for his MC states that Taylor had "always shown exceptional dash and gallantry in attacking large formations of hostile machines, setting a very fine example to all of his comrades." He resigned after the war as a Captain in March 1919.
Date and Place of GC Action: 15th May 1935, Tasman Sea, Australia
The London Gazette: 9th July 1937