Pte 23842 Herbert James Taggart

• Age: 34
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 21st September 1916
• Commemorated at: St.helens Cem, Lancs
  Panel Ref: 7.CE.643

Herbert James Taggart was born on the 29th March 1882 in Liverpool the son of John Taggart and his wife Eliza (nee Noyes). He was baptised on the 15th August 1883 in Christ Church C. of E. Church, Kensington, Liverpool. His parents were living at the time at 44 Farnworth Street, and his father’s occupation is given as mariner. John Taggart and Eliza Noyes married in 1877 at St Mary, Edge Hill. John was born in Cumberland, and Eliza in Portsea, Hampshire.  His father was a First Mate, who had been widowed after less than one year of marriage when his wife Jane (nee Richie) died at the age of 24 after giving birth to their daughter Jane in 1875.

Herbert was one of five children; he had an older brother John Henry, born in 1878, and younger siblings Florence Louisa 1884, Ethel Rebecca 1886, and Sidney, born in 1888.

In 1881 before Herbert’s birth his parents are found on the census at 44 Farnworth Street, Kensington, Liverpool, with his half sister Jane, 5, and John, 2.  His father is 34, a mariner, Chief Officer, and his mother is 30. Also in the household are his grandmother Rebecca Noyes, 72, and his mother’s sister Mary Noyes, 30 (who married soon after the census), and Louisa Noyes, 6.

The family suffered many losses in the next few years. His grandmother died in 1886, and his half sister Jane died in 1888 at the age of 12.  Further tragedy struck when his mother died in 1889 aged 38 when James was seven years old. Less than two weeks later his sister Florence, 5, also died.

His father being away at sea, his mother’s married sister Mary Williams and her husband John took care of the children.  

At the time of the 1891 census they are found at 14 Smollett Street, around the corner from Farnworth Street. (John) Henry, 13, an apprentice joiner, is head of household while his father is away, Herbert is 9, Ethel 5, and Sydney 3. Listed as boarders are John Williams 50, a joiner, Mary Williams 39, and Louisa (Noyes) now listed as Williams, 15.

By 1901 Herbert and Sidney are living with his aunt and uncle at 21 Gladstone Street, St. Helens.  Herbert is 19, a brickworks labourer, Sidney is 13.  Ethel, 15, is in Liverpool and is employed as a nursemaid in Copperas Hill.  John had enlisted in Liverpool in the Militia, 3rd Bn South Lancashire Regiment in 1895. The census also finds father aboard the ship “Braemar” in Bristol Docks, he is a mate, aged 54 and born in Maryport, Cumberland. 

The 1911 Census finds Herbert and his brother Sidney (aged 23) were still living at 21 Gladstone Street, St Helens, with Uncle John Aunt Mary Williams. Herbert’s age is incorrectly given as 32, Sidney is a builder’s labourer.  Their brother John, 33, is married and living in St. Helens, and Ethel, 25, is a general servant in Birkenhead.

Herbert was employed as an Electric Tramway Conductor before he joined up. 

He enlisted in Liverpool joining the 20^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 23842.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

Herbert was wounded in action during the attack on Guillemont on 30th July 1916, and was evacuated to England. Part of a letter he wrote on 27th August 1916 exists though some parts are sadly illegible and there was probably a second side to the letter. What is obvious is that Herbert lost his right hand as a result of his wounds and the letter (censored) shows his remarkable determination and courage to remain positive :

27th August 1916

From Signaller Taggart 23848, 

Ward 2A, 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, 

Hollymoor, Northfields, Birmingham: 

“Dear …

… at present in the …. minus right hand …shattered by a German bomb on the 30th in the vicinity of Waterlot Farm ….  being in No.5 Hospital at Abbeville.  48 hours … I was only about a week in bed with it and I commenced to write with my left hand crossing the Channel.  This letter makes about the 20th I have written since being here and the writing is very nearly as good as with the right hand.  I made up my mind to try and do everything with my left hand that I have to do with my right …”

Herbert died of wounds on the 21st September, 1916 aged 34. His death was registered in King’s Norton district of Birmingham and Soldiers’ Effects records that he died in Birmingham.  

He now rests at St Helens Cemetery, Lancashire.

The pension card states that he died of acute pneumonia; an online family tree states cause of death as gangrene. 

His father died not long after Herbert, just before Christmas in 1916 age 68 and he was buried at Kirkdale Cemetery on the 23rd December, his address was 6 Millard St, Kirkdale. 

Herbert earned his three medals. His British War Medal and Victory Medal were returned for adjustment. 

In June 1919 M. Williams, 9 Gladstone Street, St. Helens, applied for his 1914-1915 Star.

His aunt Mrs. Mary Williams received his Army pay and a War Gratuity of £8-10s.  An entry on the pension card notes, “claim received 30/1/20”, with no further details.

Elder brother John served during the war with the 5th Bn. K.L.R. and later the Royal Fusiliers. Younger brother Sidney also served in the S. Lancs and later the Royal Engineers. Both brothers survived the war. John had a son in 1920 he called after Herbert. 

Herbert is commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Helens Civic Memorial

St John the Evangelist C. of E. Church

St Luke’s Church War Memorial, Knowsley Road, St Helens. 

St. John’s Church, Ravenhead, St. Helens 

Grateful thanks are extended to Joyce Bettaney, a relative of Herbert, who kindly allowed us to use the letter that Herbert wrote from his hospital bed less than a month before he succumbed to his wounds.   

We currently have no further information on Herbert James Taggart, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.