Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Oldroyd Cornock-Taylor - CBE
| Date of Birth | 27 February 1884 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 34 |
| Date of Death | 14 February 1919 |
| Service Number | |
| Military Service | |
| Merton Address | Alvington House, Marryat Road |
| Local Memorial | Wimbledon Parish Church |
Additional Information
Gerald Oldroyd Cornock-Taylor was born to parents John a tea exporter and Alice (Nee Oldroyd.) His parents had married on 4th February 1883 at Holy Cross Church in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. After marrying they set up home in Kingston were Gerald, their first son was born on 27th February 1884. A second son named Clive was born on 28th April 1886 and a third in 1890 called Lancelot who died in May of 1890.
In the census of 1891 their father John was still working as a tea exporter and the family resided in Kingston at a house called Meadow Bank. The family had three servants: cook, nurse and housemaid. Another child called Violet was born in June 1898 with her birth being registered in Wimbledon.
By 1901 the family home was listed as Alvington House in Marryat Road, Wimbledon. The family employed four servants and a nurse. Gerald aged 17 and his brother Clive aged 14 were listed as pupils at Charter House School in Godalming in Surrey. Gerald left school in 1902 and was employed by a chemical manufacturers and Clive left in 1904 to join a firm of stockbrokers.
By 1911 the family were still residing in the 18 room Alvington House, with four servants. Gerald aged 27 was working as a general merchant and his brother Clive was a Stock Market Clerk. Their sister Violet was aged 12. Their father John was listed as a director of Tea Companies.
Gerald’s brother Clive married Kathleen Crofton Shackle at St. Luke Church in Kensington on 6th October 1915.
Gerald was aged 30 when war broke out. Records show that Gerald a Captain disembarked for France on 23rd December 1915 with the 14th London Regiment. During the war he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel CBE, officer de la Croix de La Couronne (Belguim). He was also Deputy Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries GHQ and the first Secretary to the Imperial War Graves Commission from 13th December 1917. He was known for his great ability and unstinted devotion to duty.
Gerald died of pneumonia on 14th February 1919 aged 34 in a French Hospital in Fillievres. His death came as a severe loss to the Army and the commission.
He was buried at Fillievres British Cemetery and is remembered at Wimbledon Parish Church.
Upon Gerald’s death effects of £11,836 and 7 Shillings were left to his brother Clive, who remained living in the Wimbledon area at 2 Elm Grove for many years.