B70183 Lance Sergeant Leonard Howard Taylor was born in Toronto, Ontario, on 2 August 1914, son of James Howard Taylor and Lydia Adams. His Church of England family included two sisters. He left school at 16 after completing part of grade 10, enjoyed fishing, baseball and hockey, and was a member of the Independent Order of Forresters.

Taylor married Barbara Jane (Jennie) Elliott on 14 November 1936, and they had one daughter, Lenore.

He worked as a paper maker for Hinds and Dauche Paper Company in Toronto when he enlisted with the Queen’s York Rangers (active service) on 21 March 1942 after serving for 1 year and 9 months with the QYR militia. He trained at Camp Borden and Chippawa, was promoted to Lance Corporal on 16 July, appointed Acting Corporal on 16 October and confirmed as Corporal on 16 November.

On 17 June 1943, Taylor was transferred to the Royal Regiment of Canada and on 20 December 1943, promoted to Acting Sergeant.

Taylor reported for duty in the United Kingdom on 4 January 1944, reverted to Corporal, and two weeks later was posted to a reinforcement unit and promoted to Acting Sergeant. On 1 October 1944, he again reverted to Corporal and arrived in France the next day. Eight days later, he was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles and served with them through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 24 March 1945.

Lance Sergeant Taylor, aged 30, died on 20 April 1945 of wounds received in action on the 17th. He is buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference IX. E. 16. His family had the following inscribed on his marker:

TOO DEARLY LOVED
TO EVER BE FORGOTTEN.
JENNIE, LENORE, MUM AND DAD
EVELYN AND OLIVE