Pte Herbert William Taylor, 40381, 5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, was presented with the Military Medal by Luton Mayor Councillor Henry Impey during a meeting of the King Street Pleasant Sunday Afternoon group, of which Herbert was a member.

He had earned the medal for rescuing two wounded comrades - one of whom survived the war - under heavy machine gun and rifle fire near the village of Gommecourt in France.

In making the presentation on January 19, 1919, the Mayor said that Pte Taylor joined the 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and while in France was transferred to the 1/5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

The incident for which the medal was awarded arose when they had reinforced the 8th Battalion on the Cambrai front and were holding a village in the Gommecourt area. The enemy were pressing them very hard, and force the Battalion back for a little distance.

In the face of a tremendous machine-gun and rifle fire, Pte Taylor rushed back and brought in two wounded comrades, one of whom was still alive as the result of his bravery.

Pte Taylor was himself wounded on October 2, 1918, while on the Cambrai-St Quentin front.

The Tuesday Telegraph (January 21, 1919) reported that the recital of the circumstances which led to the award was followed by prolonged applause.

After the medal had been pinned on, Pte Taylor was seen to shake his head vigorously, and the Mayor then said he had not the courage to say anything, although he had the courage to win a medal. Pte Taylor was more nervous standing up to receive his award than when he went out to face the music.

The Mayor expressed the hope that Pte Taylor would long be spared to do heroic deeds for his country in the old land, and be a very helpful and constant worker in connection with the King Street P.S.A.

Herbert, born in Chaul End on November 4, 1891, was a son of William and Ann Taylor, who in 1911 were living at 14 Gloucester Road. He married Gertrude Rose Harris by licence at St Paul's Church, Luton, on April 22, 1916, and the couple were living at 64 Baker Street, Luton.

[Tuesday Telegraph: January 21st, 1919]