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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 591

(x) Pair: Captain J. M. Taylor, Royal Air Force, who flew in defence of London during the Raid of 19-20 May 1918

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. M. Taylor. R.A.F.), minor contact wear overall, very fine (2)

James Mitchell Taylor was born at Edmonton, Alberta on 13 July 1888, the son of Alexander and Harriet Taylor. He studied engineering at Victoria College, Toronto and started work as a motor mechanic prior to attesting at Edmonton on 5 July 1915. Commissioned Lieutenant while in Canada with the 138th Battalion he was appointed Acting Captain with them on 3 March 1916. Joining the unit in that role aboard the Empress of India, he sailed for Britain on 2 August 1916, being confirmed Captain not long later.

He served for a year in Europe before being posted to the Royal Flying Corps on 6 June 1917. After training Taylor was appointed Flying Officer with them on 1 November 1917. Upon the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918 he was listed as flying with No. 50 Squadron on Home Defence around Kent.

This unit was a major part of the British response to a massive air raid launched to pre-empt the German Spring Offensive. German Air Raids takes up the story stating:

'The German air campaign against Britain was now practically over, but biggest air raid of the war was still to come. Following the failure of Germany's ground troops to end the war in the Spring of 1918, when the British army with their backs to the wall never shone more splendidly, the Germans started a bombing campaign on an unparalleled scale. Our basis in France and particularly that at Abbeville were signalled out for demolition, and for a time these raids were viewed with great apprehension. Simultaneously the greatest air raid of all time was planned and carried out on London, but like all the previous gigantic efforts it resulted in failure; and the failure of this particular raid was the greatest of all. Some forty machines were mustered for the event. Every available Gotha and every available Giant took part and London was visited by more hostile nocturnal bombers than ever before, but it was an unlucky number that reached the capital; there were thirteen of them.

Three B.E.12s went up with No. 50 Squadron and at the controls of one of them was Taylor. As they were based in Kent the unit was the first to take off and at least one of them, Captain Holman engaged an enemy bomber.

Posted to No. 48 Wing in September 1918 Taylor undertook several training courses and was still in them when the war came to an end. He was demobilised on 11 December 1918 in Canada, living their until his death on 7 December 1958. Notably his brother, James Alexander Campbell Taylor was killed over France in 1943, also as a pilot; sold together with copied service records, combat reports and extracts from several publications relating to the raid of 19-20 May 1918.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£160

Starting price
£70