Taylor, Herbert

Taylor, Herbert

1892-1955

Herbert Taylor was born October 2, 1892, in Hamilton, Ontario. He lived at 94 Burris Street and worked as a cutler in the Taylor Brothers Cutlery Company Limited located at 11 MacNab Street North, along with his brothers Arthur and Albert. The business was established in 1886 by his father Enoch Taylor, a cutler and grinder by trade, who emigrated from Sheffield, England to Hamilton, and set up a business that specialized in making, selling, sharpening and repairing knives and other sharp instruments. When he died in 1906, his sons took over the business. Before the outbreak of the First World War, Herbert had been working in the business while also serving as a band member with the 91st Highlanders Regiment for three years. In 1916, Herbert along with two of his bandmates, John Edward Hunter and Norris Arthur Hunter, enlisted as privates in the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 80th Overseas Battalion on January 20, in Belleville, Ontario, sailing to England together that same year. Herbert and his bandmates were stationed in multiple locations in England for the duration of their overseas service. They played with various Canadian Divisional Bands including the 6th Canadian Reserve Band. The soldier musicians performed for civilians and dignitaries in places such as private residences, halls, hotels, parks and gardens across England, to maintain support for the war effort. They also played for wounded soldiers at convalescent homes and hospitals, and entertained soldiers of every rank on leave rotations in rear area Y.M.C.A. huts, to boost morale and keep up the fighting spirits of the men. Herbert and his bandmates did not engage in combat operations during the war, but they served their country through their music by boosting the morale of the allies and providing much needed entertainment to weary and homesick soldiers. All three men returned to Canada in 1919. Herbert continued as a musician, playing in city bands and orchestras, while working at his cutlery business until his death in 1955.

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Ancestry Library Edition. "John Edward Harrison Hunter." Accessed May 14, 2026. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections.

Ancestry Library Edition. "Norris Arthur Hunter." Accessed May 14, 2026. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/search/collections.

CF – Hamilton – Industries – Taylor Brothers Cutlery Company Limited

Magazine of Industry & Dailey Times. Hamilton, Ontario, 1910, p.44. – Library Call Number: 971.351M27

Military Records. Private Herbert Taylor, 1916-1916. RG150, Accession 1992-193/166, Box 9532-40, Library and Archives Canada.

Military Records. Private John Edward Hunter, 1916-1919. RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4632-52, Library and Archives Canada.

Military Records. Private Norris Arthur Hunter, 1916-1919. RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4634-9, Library and Archives Canada.

Biographical and descriptive information also sourced from the material within the fonds.