Brief profile of Herbie Tayler by Dr.A.K.Hignell

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Player:

HW Tayler

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Born in Gloucestershire, Bert Tayler played twice for his native county in 1914, but after the Great War, he moved to work in South Wales, joined the Cardiff club and qualified for Glamorgan.

 

His family were primarily farmers, but also dabbled in brewing, in addition to being cricket mad, and regularly fielding sides composed entirely of family members.

 

He was educated, along with his 2nd cousin Fred Tayler (Warwickshire & Glocestershire)at Burford and then Wellingborough School, where they both played in the cricket XI. After leaving school, he worked in the brewery at Northleach for two of his paternal uncles and it was during this time, shortly before the outbreak of War, that he made his county debut for Gloucestershire.

 

During the Great War, Tayler served as a sergeant in the Royal Artillery and the Tank Corps, winning the DCM and the French Medaille Militaire during operations south of Moreuil on July 23rd, 1918.

 

His citation reads - "in the absence of the tank commander, Sergt. Tayler commanded the tank throughout the action with consipicuous success, and showed great skill and gallantry in destroying upwards of a dozen machine-gun nests, as well as bringing in several guns complete with spare parts. On his own initiative, Sergt. Tayler advanced through our protective barrage and patrolled far in advance of the infantry, thereby rendering great assistance. By his cheerfulness, personal control and gallantry Sergt. Tayler set a splendid example to his crew."

 

After the war, Tayler moved to Cardiff, where he joined his maternal uncle, Percy Cadle who ran a tobacco manufacturing and retail business. Settling in South Wales, he played for the Cardiff club and made his Glamorgan debut in 1920 against J.H.P.Brain`s XI. Bert (aka `Herbie`) subsequently appeared in 10 first-class games between 1921 and 1927.

 

(October 2006)

(Article: Copyright © 2006 Dr.A.K.Hignell)