34947 Private William Peter Taylor, (19/10/1895-14/4/1918). "dear to our memor"

Willy Taylor was a farm labourer in Georgetown, a little way up the Waitaki Valley from Oamaru.  He was called up in August of 1916 and left New Zealand for the War early in 1917.

William Taylor served with the Otago Infantry Regiment during the frantic days of April, 1918, when the German Spring offensive, which looked to break the French and British armies apart and trap the British with its back to the North Sea, was stopped and turned back.  The cost was high on both sides and included the life of William Taylor of Kia Ora.

IN MEMORIAM.

TAYLOR. — In loving memory of Private William Peter Taylor. Kia Ora, 20th Reinforcements, killed in action "Somewhere in France." on 14th April, 1918. 

Sleep on, dear Willie, in your foreign grave, Your life for your country you nobly gave; 

Gone and forgotten by some you may be. But dear to our memory for ever you'll be.  -Oamaru Mail, 14/4/1919.

William Taylor lies in the Meteren Military Cemetery, France and his name can be found on the Georgetown war memorial in the Waitaki Valley.