Dates: 1917-1919
Size: 0.17 cubic ft.

Biography:

George M. Taylor

George M. Taylor, son of Bascom Taylor (1856-1945) and Bettie Taylor (1870-1956) was born in Neshoba County, Mississippi, on March 4, 1898. The youngest of five children, George’s siblings were Bessie, Leo, Minnie, and Mattie Taylor.

George M. Taylor’s diary begins with his arrival at Camp Beauregard in Alexandria, Louisiana on November 12, 1917. Taylor enlisted in the Army National Guard on November 16, 1917, wherein he was assigned to Battery E 140 Field Artillery during World War I. Taylor was subsequently re-assigned to Battery C 320 Field Artillery on May 28, 1918. His diary notes that he arrived in France on July 14, 1918. Taylor was slightly wounded on October 14, 1918. In a letter to his brother, Leo Taylor, dated October 23, 1918, and published in The Neshoba Democrat on December 19, 1918, Taylor describes the gains made against German forces. However, this correspondence also depicts the hardships that soldiers had to endure. Taylor was honorably discharged on May 24, 1919.

After returning from France, Mr. Taylor married Ms. Pearl Henson on May 24, 1923. George and Pearl were the parents of one child, Rebecca [Taylor] Stribling. Records indicate that in 1930, Mr. Taylor was employed as a wage worker at the Creosote Plant in Louisville, Winston County, Mississippi. By 1940, records reveal that he was employed as a postal clerk in Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Mississippi. In the June 27, 1957 issue of The Neshoba Democrat, George Taylor’s obituary acknowledged that he was a member of the American Legion.

George M. Taylor died on June 25, 1957.

 

Scope and Content Note:

This collection consists of George M. Taylor’s diary, chronicling his military involvement during World War I. Of note is the English to French translation of commonly used words and phrases, and the ranking of military insignia across the various branches. Of particular interest is Mr. Taylor’s account of the military duties performed such as being on gas guard duty; and instances of military engagement and the use of mustard gas during the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne from September 29, 1918 through November 3, 1918.

 

Series Identification:

Box 1, folder 1: World War I Diary, 1917-1919