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Bendigonian, Thursday 10 June 1915 page 24 article:

LANCE-CORPORAL TAYLOR. In a letter from Lance-Corporal Taylor (who was wounded at the Dardanelles), to his mother, Mrs. S. Taylor, of Mundy street, he says: "You will know by now that I have had a bit of bad luck. I had the first finger of my left hand blown off. On our way over we stayed at the island of Lemnos. We landed at the Dardanelles on 25th April last, and, my word, it was terrible. They just poured the fire on to us - shrapnel, and machine guns. They were on a big hill right along the coast. We left the troopship in boats pulled by a tug, and when a couple of hundred yards from the shore we rowed in. A lot were killed or wounded before we got to the shore. Walsh was the only one hit in our boat, and he got a bullet in the arm. We could not get the boots right to the shore, so we jumped into the water. As soon as we got on shore we fixed bayonets and the Turks retreated about two and a half miles. We blazed away all day. Several times we had to charge them. They won't stand up to the bayonet, but don't seem to mind fire.

About 50 of us stayed in a position until 12 o'clock, when there were gradually only about 12 with me as the only N.C.O. A few retreated. I think six were killed and 20 or so wounded. Then we all had to retire until reinforcements came up. It was just as well we did, for three big shrapnel shells burst just where we were. I was lying behind a stump with two other fellows when a shrapnel shell blew the stump to pieces, but none of us received a scratch. I had just got up and was looking round to see what was going on when I got my 'bit of Turkish delight' and of course had to go and get it fixed up. I was sorry to have to leave, but it cannot be helped. Nearly all of our officers were killed or wounded. I expect it will be six weeks before I can get back to the firing line, although my wound is healed up already.

Private Taylor relates, that the people of Cairo are treating the wounded splendidly, giving them cigarettes, fruit and other things.

John Reed Taylor, known as ‘Jack’, was born in Rushworth, Vic., the son of Detective (dec.) and Sarah Ann Taylor, of 151 Mundy Street, Bendigo.    He was a Grocer, employed at Mr. Albert Bush’s stores.   Aged 22, he had no previous military service.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 823 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.    On 28/9/14 he was appointed L/Cpl.   

Prior to Embarkation he was Presented with a smoker’s outfit from his former employer, Mr Albert Bush.   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)      

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   John Reed Taylor was Wounded on the first day.   

Taylor: “We landed at the Dardanelles on 25th April last, and, my word, it was terrible.   They just poured the fire on to us – shrapnel and machine-guns.   They were on a big hill right along the coast.   We left the troopship in boats pulled by a tug, and when a couple of hundred yards from the shore we rowed in.   A lot were killed or wounded before we got to the shore . .     We could not get the boats right in to the shore, so we jumped into the water.   As soon as we got on shore we fixed bayonets and the Turks retreated about two and a half miles.   We blazed away all day.   Several times we had to charge them.   They won’t stand up to the bayonet, but don’t seem to mind fire.   About 50 of us stayed in a position until 12 o’clock, when there were gradually only about 12 with me as the only NCO.   A few retreated.   I think six were killed, and 30 or so wounded.   Then we all had to retire until reinforcements came up.   It was just as well we did, for three big shrapnel shells burst just where we were.   I was lying behind a stump with two other fellows when a shrapnel shell blew the stump to pieces, but none of us received a scratch.  I had just got up and was looking round to see what was going on when I got my ‘bit of Turkish delight’. And of course had to go and get it fixed up.   I was sorry to have to leave but it cannot be helped.   Nearly all of our officers were killed or wounded.”   [Bendigo Advertiser   June 9, 1915]   

John Reed Taylor had sustained a GSW to his upper extremities, i.e. a bullet wound in his finger.   He subsequently lost the first finger of his left hand.     He rejoined the battalion on 22/6/1915.    The following day he was appointed Sgt. (23/6/15)   

On July 3 the battalion moved into the trenches at Steele’s Post.   The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground.   Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe.   The trench was Bombarded by the Enemy Howitzer, causing explosions which buried men.   

John Reed Taylor was Wounded (2nd occasion) at Steele’s Post.   On July 16 the 7th Battalion War Diary recorded: “At 4.35 pm the enemy’s Howitzer started shelling us dropped 15 6” shells.   Buried 4 men in the 7th battn.   Also 75mm High Explosive Shrapnel.   Great damage done to trenches.”   

John Reed Taylor was one of the men buried by this shell explosion, sustaining Shock and GSW to his arm.   He rejoined the battalion on 24/8/15.   

On September 13 the battalion embarked for Lemnos & marched to Sarpi Camp.   The health of the men was of great concern and it was hoped to improve this by an extended period of rest.   The men were fed well, but the improvement in the men’s health was very slow indeed.   The battalion returned to Anzac on November 21.   

In December preparations began for the evacuation of Anzac.   The 7th Battalion was withdrawn on the night of December 19th.    They embarked for Lemnos and then disembarked in Egypt on 6th January 1916.  

John Reed Taylor remained with the 7th Battalion and went on to serve on the Western Front, but with increasing periods of Sickness.   He was admitted to hospital with Appendicitis (6/2/16, rejoining the battalion on 13/4/16); suffered from Neurosis and Debility (3-10/6/16); and on 29/7/17 was diagnosed with a Nervous Breakdown/Debility and Bronchitis.   He RTA M.U. on 5/11/17 (Phthisis)   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone