The Soldier's Details

Snow enlisted AIF August 1940 at Carnarvon and later joined 2/4th MGB.  Ron Elvish enlisted AIF 13 Sep 1940 at Carnarvon and later joined 2/4th’s ‘A’ Coy. Elvish died on Burma-Thai Railway of illness at Chungkai Hospital aged 42 years.

Please read about Carnarvon

At Singapore a further Platoon of machine gunners was created under C.O. Ron Arbery – No. 16 Platoon.    Snowy was moved with others from No. 13 Platoon.  ‘D’ Company came under constant and intense artillery fire and were soon overrun by the Japanese as the line of defence was insufficient to hold them.

Snowy remained at Singapore throughout the war.

Vale – E.G. (Snow) Taylor

Known as ‘Snow’ to his mates and ‘Uncle Ted’ to younger members of his family, Edward Taylor was a popular man who overcame adversity to lead a long and fulfilling life.  Born in Narrogin, the son of George and Elsie Taylor, his life was to take a cruel twist at 15 when his father, a renowned horseman and bush vet, died.  It left him to take on the responsibility of caring for his mother and two younger brothers, Vic and Ray.  This led him to go north to work on a cattle station, while his family relocated to Perth.

When WW11 broke out, he enlisted as a member of the 2/4th machine gunners.  It was the beginning of another chapter which had a lasting impact on him.  Mr Taylor was captured during the fall of Singapore and was a prisoner of war in Changi Prison, until the Allied victory.  He returned from the war physically weakened and recovered with the loyal support of family and friends.  He then went on to work for the WA Health Dept as a driver until retirement age.  He chose to continue working part-time and was employed to  deliver building supplies up to his 80th Birthday.  He never married and lived in Melville with his mother during her life before moving to Gosnells in 1984.

Family members remember affectionately how their lives often mirrored the popular TV comedy Mother & Son, starring Norman Gunston and Ruth Cracknell.  Mr Taylor’s passions were pistol shooting, his involvement with the Citizens Military Forces (now Army Reserve) and breeding Collie dogs.  He was a member of the RSL and in Nov 2000 was part of the 10th Light Horse Ceremonial Troop, which rode from Kelmscott to Albany.  He is survived by his brother Ray and eight nephews and nieces.

Courtesy Sunday Times.

It is believed Snow’s father George Cuthbert Taylor, who was born in Victoria died 9 July 1935 at Williams and was buried at Narrogin.

Robert Philip ‘Bob’ Elvish died of illness October 1943 on the Burma-Thai Railway at Chungkai Camp, aged 42 years.

We note Snow was residing in Melville with his mother Elsie Marjorie in 1968, 1977 Electoral Rolls. In 1954 he resided at Cottesloe, and later 1980 Bedford.

Snow’s mother Elsie Marjorie Taylor (nee Withnell) died 6 July 1983 aged 85 years.

Height 5′ 4 1/2″

Edward passed away aged 83yrs, August 14 2002, at Gosnells.