More about David Taylor

Engine-Room Artificer David Taylor, RN, who died from pneumonia at Armstrong College Hospital, Newcastle, was a very promising young man of 26 years of age. He was the son of Mr William Taylor, 16 Mains Loan, Dundee, and late of Monifieth. ERA Taylor served his apprenticeship with Charles Parker, Sons & Co, Victoria Foundry, Dundee and had been for six or seven years in the navy, first on torpedo boats and latterly on submarines. He had many exciting experiences.

The Courier & Advertiser, December 4, 2018.

David Taylor was the son of Mr William Taylor of 13 Pitkerro Road and 16 Mains Loan, Dundee and worked as Textile Fitter. He volunteered to join the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class in November 1912. In March 1913, after initial training at HMS Pembroke, the Naval Barracks in Chatham he was drafted to HMS Tyne, a torpedo boat and destroyer depot and base ship at the Nore in which he served until 1917. He was rated ERA Third Class in 1915 and his efficiency was assessed as Superior for most of his service. During this period he was in the Ship’s Company of HMS Peterel, an old destroyer employed on patrol duties. In April 1917 he volunteered for the Submarine service and was drafted to HMS Dolphin for training. On completion he was drafted to the Submarine Depot ship HMS Actaeon and in May 1917 joined HM Submarine J5. During this period the J5 was employed on patrols in the North Sea hunting German surface ships and submarines. In November he died from pneumonia in the Northern General Hospital in Newcastle. David Taylor is buried in the Barnhill Cemetery, Grave Reference E253 and is remembered on the Steeple/St Clement’s Church Memorial.