At LOON OP ZAND (Southern Holland), on 29 Oct 44, Sgt Taylor was in command of a troop which was supporting ‘D’ Coy 1/7 Queens in an attack on the town.
Little headway was made at the commencement of the operation owing to accurate observed enemy shelling and mortaring. Sgt Taylor’s tank received two direct hits. However he pushed forward until he was 700 yards from the town from which position he could observe the enemy and engage them by direct fire. He remained some time in this position engaging targets and drawing enemy fire until the Company came up to him.
A plan was then made for the infantry to attack, with tank support. Although enemy tanks and A/Tk guns had just been reported in the town, Sgt Taylor took the lead of his troop and pushed forward to within 300 yards of the town.
Here he ran into heavy fire from all arms and was wounded in the head and shoulder. His operator, too, was shot in the head. although in considerable pain he continued to command his tank and his troop, remaining in this position and engaging targets with both BESAs and the 75mm gun.
Disregarding the fire that was brought to bear on him, he stood up in the turret firing a BREN gun from the shoulder. Only when all the ammunition in the tank was expended did Sgt Taylor order his tank back a short distance into cover, and not until he was being evacuated to the R.A.P. did he hand over command of his troop to the troop sergeant.
This was the first time Sgt Taylor had commanded a troop in action, the troop officer having been wounded a few days before.
By his offensive spirit and determination to inflict maximum casualties on the enemy, and by his example of personal courage, Sgt Taylor did a great deal to assist the successful operations in this area.
C GOULBURN
Lt-Col
Cmdg 8th Hussars
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