Frank Harold Taylor
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Frank Harold Taylor was a Canadian-born flying ace
. During World War I, he was credited with ten aerial victories.
for overseas service. He subsequently served in two battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
.
with the RFC on 10 September 1917. He was also assigned to 41 Squadron in September 1917 as an Airco DH.5
pilot. He scored his first victory with serial number B667, helping Russell Winnicott
, Loudoun MacLean
, and Meredith Thomas
destroy a German reconnaissance two-seater plane over Rumilly
. The squadron re-equipped with newer Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as. Flying SE-5a serial number C1752, the young pilot teamed with fellow Canadian Harry Watson to destroy an Albatros D.V
over Vitry
on 25 January 1918. Taylor would use the same plane for six more wins in the latter part of March, capped by the destruction of another Albatros D.V at 0900 hours on 24 March 1918, followed by a successful balloon busting
within the hour.
In May 1918, Taylor returned to Canada for home leave. Upon his return, he was assigned to 84 Squadron. Using SE.5a serial F855, he scored two final victories, on 3 and 10 November 1918. His final tally was an observation balloon
and five enemy planes destroyed solo, two enemy planes destroyed in joint attacks, and two German planes driven down out of control.
Frank Harold Taylor died on Long Island
, New York, on 7 June 1985.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. On one occasion, whilst on offensive
patrol, he shot down a hostile scout in flames
and a second out of control. On the following
day he shot down an enemy triplane,
which finally crashed to earth. During the
recent operations he has carried out many
successful attacks on enemy infantry from
low altitudes, and has taken part in over
80 offensive patrols. His gallantry and good
service merit the highest praise.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
. During World War I, he was credited with ten aerial victories.
Early life and service
Frank Harold Taylor was Toronto born, being the child of Jane Taylor. He was a student during the start of World War I, and joined the Canadian militia circa February 1916 and became a lieutenant. On 13 September 1916, he joined the Canadian Expeditionary ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
for overseas service. He subsequently served in two battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
.
World War I aerial service
Taylor was confirmed in rank as a Temporary second lieutenantSecond Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
with the RFC on 10 September 1917. He was also assigned to 41 Squadron in September 1917 as an Airco DH.5
Airco DH.5
-Bibliography:* Bruce, J.M. Warplanes of the First World War, Vol. 1. London: MacDonald, 1965, pp. 128–132.* Jackson, A.J. De Havilland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1962....
pilot. He scored his first victory with serial number B667, helping Russell Winnicott
Russell Winnicott
Lieutenant Russell Winnicott was an English World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.-Early life:Winnicot was the son of Plymouth Alderman Richard Weeks Winnicott and Anne Smith Winnicott.-World War I:...
, Loudoun MacLean
Loudoun MacLean
Captain Loudoun James MacLean was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.MacLean was commissioned on 1 April 1914, just before the start of World War I. He entered the war in the 57th Company, Royal Engineers, and won a Military Cross in September 1917. He was posted to the...
, and Meredith Thomas
Meredith Thomas
Air Vice-Marshal Meredith Thomas CSI, CBE, DFC, AFC RAF was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He began his career as a flying ace during World War I, credited with five aerial victories....
destroy a German reconnaissance two-seater plane over Rumilly
Rumilly
Rumilly is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Rumilly, in the Pas-de-Calais département* Rumilly, in the Haute-Savoie département* Rumilly-en-Cambrésis, in the Nord département...
. The squadron re-equipped with newer Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as. Flying SE-5a serial number C1752, the young pilot teamed with fellow Canadian Harry Watson to destroy an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
over Vitry
Vitry
Vitry is part of the name of several communes in France:* Vitry-aux-Loges, in the Loiret département* Vitry-en-Artois, in the Pas-de-Calais département* Vitry-en-Charollais, in the Saône-et-Loire département...
on 25 January 1918. Taylor would use the same plane for six more wins in the latter part of March, capped by the destruction of another Albatros D.V at 0900 hours on 24 March 1918, followed by a successful balloon busting
Balloon buster
Balloon busters were military pilots known for destroying enemy observation balloons. These pilots were noted for their fearlessness. Seventy-six fighter pilots in World War I were each credited with destroying five or more balloons, and thus were balloon aces....
within the hour.
In May 1918, Taylor returned to Canada for home leave. Upon his return, he was assigned to 84 Squadron. Using SE.5a serial F855, he scored two final victories, on 3 and 10 November 1918. His final tally was an observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
and five enemy planes destroyed solo, two enemy planes destroyed in joint attacks, and two German planes driven down out of control.
Post World War I
Taylor gave up his commission and became unemployed by the Royal Air Force on 16 September 1919.Frank Harold Taylor died on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York, on 7 June 1985.
Honors and awards
Text of citation for award of the Military CrossFor conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. On one occasion, whilst on offensive
patrol, he shot down a hostile scout in flames
and a second out of control. On the following
day he shot down an enemy triplane,
which finally crashed to earth. During the
recent operations he has carried out many
successful attacks on enemy infantry from
low altitudes, and has taken part in over
80 offensive patrols. His gallantry and good
service merit the highest praise.