George Taylor (1877-1953)

George Taylor was my great uncle. He was the eldest brother of my grandfather William Taylor (1890-1972). Their parents were George and Margaret Taylor, who had 12 children, 8 boys and 4 girls. Their son George was born on 16th July 1877 in Newcastle, whilst his father was serving in the Royal Artillery there. It seems that George senior took his wife and family with him to his various postings (including India in 1881) so George junior would have had a rather unsettled childhood.

George senior left the army in 1886 and the family moved to Charlton. The 1891 census shows George Taylor (aged 41, a labourer) and Margaret (36) living at 9 West Street, Charlton with their children George (14), Ernest (12), Harriet (9), Charles (6), Margaret (4) and Thomas (2) and William (10 months). Thomas died in 1898 aged 9.

By 1901 the family were living at 7 West Street, Charlton and consisted of George (aged 50, a labourer local board), Margaret (47), George (24, a covering machinist), Jane (19, a covering machinist), Charles (16, a covering machinist), Margaret (14, a daily servant), William (10), Samuel (9) and May (6).

George married Kate Elizabeth Lambert on 30^th March 1902 at West Green Baptist Chapel, Tottenham. The marriage certificate shows him to be aged 25, a wood machinist. She was also 25, a daughter of Leonard Lambert who was a gas fitter. The witnesses were Charles Taylor (a brother of George) and Ada Lambert.

Marriage certificate of George Taylor

George and Kate had a son, George Edward Taylor who was born on 23^rd August 1904 in Woolwich. He was baptised on 7^th March 1905 at Holy Trinity Church, Charlton. The baptism record shows the family’s address as 18 James Street, Woolwich and George’s occupation as insurance agent. Sadly, the boy died later that year, before his first birthday.

The 1911 census shows George (33) and Kate (33, born in Dalston) living in three rooms at 6 Inverine Road, Charlton (near Charlton station). By then George was an insurance superintendent. Considering that George came from a poor background, this sounds like good career progress. They had three children, William Leonard (3), Kate Margaret Annie (2) and George Charles (1), all born in Marylebone. George Charles Taylor died in Q2 1911. Another child, Ernest Walter, was born later in 1911. He died aged 3 in 1915 and is buried in Charlton Cemetery.

6 Inverine Road, Charlton (in 2012)

The 1928 to 1939 electoral registers show George, Kate and William living at 31a Inverine Road in Charlton. In 1931 and 1932 Kate Margaret Taylor (their daughter) was living at 31 Inverine Road. She died in 1933 aged 25. The 1939 Register shows George (a builder's watchman), Kate and William at 31a Inverine Road.

William died in 1943 in Greenwich aged 35. This meant that all five of George and Kate’s children died before they did.

31 and 31a Inverine Road, Charlton (in 2012)

George and Kate lived at 31 Inverine Road from 1945 to 1950, when Kate died aged 72. She is buried in grave R / 241 in Charlton Cemetery with her children Kate and William. The kerbstones round the plot are engraved

In loving memory of our dear daughter KATE MARGARET ANNIE TAYLOR ….. ….. ….. /

Also our dear son WILLIAM LEONARD TAYLOR who died 24^th March 1943 aged 35 years / KATE E TAYLOR, a beloved wife and mother, died 5^th March 1950 aged 72.

George continued to live at 31 Inverine Road until he died in 1953 aged 75. He was buried on 7th March 1953 at Charlton Cemetery, not in the same grave as his wife and children (perhaps because it was full) but in grave Y / 735. I cannot find a probate record for him.