Mendinghem Military Cemetery, 2012. Image: Wernervc — Wikimedia Commons

In June 1917 P.G Taylor received devastating news. In 1960 he made a pilgrimage back to a place long buried in his memories.

Left;The London Gazette Ay 11, 1917 www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30064/supplement/4592 The Gazette retrieved online 24/04/17. Right; Military Cross. Source: Wikimedia commons

On the 24th of July 1917, 2/Lt. P.G. Taylor was awarded the Military Cross and promoted to Captain. Unfortunately, he received terrible news in the following days which overshadowed this prestigious honour. Today many of Bill Taylor’s belongings are kept at the Australian War Memorial.

Lt Alan Brierley (below) of 13th Battalion AIF was wounded on the attack on Hill 60 at Gallipoli on 27th August 1915. He was shipped back to England and after six months in hospital there was sent back to Australia on the 8th May 1916 and arrived at Georges Heights (21st Australian Auxiliary Hospital) on 19th June 1916.

Alice and Alan

Above: Allport and RE8. Reproduced with permission from the Australian Society of WW1 Aero Historians Below: Jack and Roland Brett’s names on the South face of the Mosman War Memorial.