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Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Edward George Taylor was born in the 2nd quarter of 1875 in Chipstead, Surrey to general labourer and shepherd Theophilus and Mary (nee Flint). He was baptised on 2nd May 1875 at St Margaret’s church, Chipstead.
His father, Theophilus, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1843 in Chipstead to labourer George and Martha. Theophilus was baptised on 18th June 1843 at St Margaret’s church in Chipstead. His mother Mary was born in the 1st quarter of 1848 in Froyle, Hampshire to labourer and gardener Edward, born about 1861 in Brockham, Surrey, and Mary, born about 1823 in Froyle. Mary Flint was baptised on 16th April 1848 in Froyle. Theophilus and Mary married on the 1st of September 1870 at St Margaret’s church in Chipstead. At the time of the marriage, the couple lived in Chipstead and Theophilus was working as a labourer.
Edward had seven known siblings: Harry born about 1869; Theophilus born about 1873; Mary born about 1879; James born about 1881; William born about 1883; Joseph born about 1885 and Alfred born about 1888, all in Chipstead.
At the time of the 1871 census, Theophilus, Mary and their son Harry were living with Mary’s father, Edward Flint, at Brick House in Chipstea. Theophilus and Edward were working as agricultural labourers. The household also comprised of Edward’s other children: domestic servants Sophia and Sarah, agricultural labourer Edward and scholars Esther, Agnes and Kate.
At the time of the 1881 census, Theophilus was a patient of Reigate and Redhill Cottage Hospital, Redhill Common. The rest of the family lived at 2 School House Cottages, Chipstead. Mary was looking after her children: Harry, Edward, Mary and James.
At the time of the 1891 census, the family lived at Old School House in Chipstead. Theophilus was working as a shepherd and Mary was looking after their children: farm labourer Harry, carpenter’s labourer Theophilus, general labourer Edward and scholars Mary, James, William, Joseph and Alfred.
Theophilus died in 1900 and was buried on 20th March 1900 at St Margaret’s churchyard. He was 58 years old.
At the time of the 1901 census, the widowed Mary and her sons gardeners Harry and Joseph and navvies James and William lived in Mugswell, Chipstead.
Edward married Annie Douch on 12th December 1906 at St Mark and St Philip’s church in Reigate. At the time of the marriage, Edward lived in Beare Green in Dorking and was working as a postman. Annie lived at 7 The Clears in Reigate.
Annie was born in the 1st quarter of 1874 in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire to gardener Harry, born about 1854 in Sutton Bridge, and Rosemont born about 1854 in Walpole, Norfolk. At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived in Colley Manor House Cottage, Reigate. The household comprised of gardener Harry, Rosemont, and their children: parlourmaid Annie, engineer and cycle manufacturer Fred and gardener Albert.
Edward and Annie had a daughter: Doris Annie born on the 22nd August 1910 in Dorking. She was baptised on 23rd October 1910 at St Paul’s church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism, the family lived at 10 Falkland Road in Dorking and Edward was working as a postman.
At the time of the 1911 census, the family lived at 10 Falkland Road, Dorking, Surrey. Edward George was working as a postman and Annie/Anne was looking after their daughter Doris Annie. The accommodation had 4 rooms.
Edward attested on 5th November 1914 in Dorking. He became part of the 7th Railway Company, of the 5th (Reserve) Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a private with a regimental number G/3859. Previously, he was part of the Royal Field Artillery and his regimental number was 20251. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Hampstead Lane Cottages, Dorking.
Edward George Taylor died in an accident on 9th December 1914 in Woking, Surrey. He was in the Army for 35 days. A Coroner inquest was held.
DORKING RESERVISTS DEATH
THE INQUEST
The circumstances of the death of Private Edward Taylor, a Dorking National Reservist, who lost his life while on duty near Woking last week, were inquired into by the Coroner, Mr Gilbert H. White, and a jury, at the Woking Police Court on Friday.
As briefly reported in our last issue, the deceased, who was a rural postman, at the time he was called up, with a fellow Reservist named Rush guarding the bridge across the main line of the L. and S. W. Railways. There was a strong wind, and rain was falling heavily – conditions which make railway patrol work particularly dangerous, as approaching trains cannot be heard, and steam from the engines of one will often obscure the approach of another. While the two men were standing together, almost underneath the bridge, the engine of a passing down train struck Taylor on the head, inflicting terrible injuries, and throwing him practically into the arms of his comrade. Help was soon forthcoming, and the injured man was taken to the adjacent railway power house. A doctor and the ambulance having been summoned, he was afterwards conveyed by rail to Woking Station, whence he was taken to the Victoria Cottage Hospital.
Although from the first his condition was helpless, the patient lived for more than 4 hours from the time of receiving the injuries.
After evidence of identification by widow, Mrs Anna Taylor, Captain Arthur Philip Macklin, commanding the 7th Railway Company of the 5th Queen’s produced regulations to be observed by men engaged in guarding the line, a copy of which was posted in every hut. These regulations pointed out that the utmost care must be exercised at all times, and particularly in bad weather.
Lieut. John Charles Waithman, second in command, said that on Wednesday evening deceased was on fixed sentry duty at No. 86 bridge, Woking Junction. It was raining and blowing hard at the time of the accident.
Inspector George Collins, of the Railway’s Company’s Police said an ambulance train from Southampton and down train from Waterloo passed the spot together about 7.30. Pte C. Rush said that he and Pte Sherlock were on patrol duty between bridges 86 to 89, and the deceased was fixed sentry at the former. Usually, they walked in the cess by the side of the line, but on Wednesday evening this was up to one’s knees in mud and water, and they walked on the end of the sleepers. When the up-train passed, deceased was in this position facing witness, who was standing clear of the line. Though he was looking towards Woking, witness saw nothing of the approaching train, and without warning, Taylor was thrown violently into his arms, and, then collapsed at his feet.
Pte Sherlock said he also failed to notice the approach of the down train.
Dr. B. H. Kingland said he attended deceased at the power-house, and after putting a temporary dressing on the wound had him removed to the hospital.
It was here found that he had received a wound four inches long, extending down to the scalp, part of which had been driven into the train. There was also extensive fracture in the base of the skull. Death occurred at 11.35 the same evening.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” and expressed their deep sympathy with the widow, with which expression the Coroner, Inspector Collins, Mr. F. Novell (stationmaster at Woking), and Captain Macklin associated themselves.
Edward George Taylor Inquest Report © Dorking Advertiser Ancestry.co.uk
He was buried on 14th December 1914 in Dorking Cemetery. His grave reference number is: 19.10036. The headstone inscription erected by Edward George’s wife Annie of 34 Falkland Hill, Dorking reads: “Memories Sweet Will Ever Linger in Our Thoughts of You”.
Photograph courtesy of Lois Leyland
Edward Taylor of Hampstead Lane Cottages, Dorking left to his wife Annie £165 and 16s in probate.
| Born | Chipstead, Surrey | |
| Son of | Theophilis Taylor of Mugswell, Chipstead | |
| Husband of | Annie Taylor of 34 Falkland Hill, Dorking | |
| Worked | Postman. Edward Taylor delivered the mail to Beare Green, Newdigate, Dorking, Westcott and Mickleham | |
| Regiment | 5th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) | |
| Number | G/3859 | |
| Former Regiment | 7th Railway Company, 5th (Reserve) Battalion | |
| Date of Death | 9th December 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Woking, Surrey | |
| Cause of Death | Accidentally killed after being hit by a train whilst guarding a bridge near Woking. | |
| Age | 39 | |
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery |
