Lt Louis Taylor, 102 Sqn RFC

I remember my grandfather Lt Louis Taylor, 102 Sqn RFC. Born in Leicester, England, both he and his brother Thomas were commissioned in the 88th Bn CEF and embarked for Britain in 1916. Louis transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, underwent pilot training at Oxford & Netheravon, and first flew operationally as a night-fighter with 51 Sqn in the defence of London in March 1917. He was transferred to 102 Sqn in September 1917, and flew as a night-bomber for the next five months in France (when the average life expectancy of a pilot was less than four weeks). He crash-landed in Luxembourg 25 Jan 18, and oth he had his French observer were captured. Louis would spend the remainder of the war as a POW deep in Germany. After the Armistice, he returned to his practice as a Chartered Accountant in Victoria, BC, and he passed away in 1965. His brother Tom unfortunately was KIA during the Battle of Amiens, and Lt Thomas Taylor 78 Bn CEF is buried at Le Quesnel. Louis was a true gentleman who served his country without hesitation, and loved his family deeply. He will always be remembered.

William Patton