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Flight Officer James Harding TAYLOR
454 RAAF Squadron

Service No. 421945

Date of Birth: 29 Apr 1920

Place of Birth: BERRIMA, NSW

Date of Enlistment: 24 Apr 1942

Date of Discharge: 30 Nov 1945

Rank: Flight Officer

Date of Death: 1970

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Below is an extract from an Email recieved by the Association from Matt Duggan  
My wife’s great uncle (paternal grandfather’s older brother) James Harding Taylor 421945, was a member of the squadron.
He appears to have been called Jimmy on the squadron.
From his service records he served with 454 squadron from May 1944 to March 1945 during the squadrons period in Italy. He was an Air Observer (Navigator).
 
He enlisted for service on the 24/04/1942 and appears to be mustered in that role from the start, 1 ITS at Somers. He underwent training at 1 AOS Cootamundra, 3 BAGS West Sale and 2 ANS at Nhill before posting to Canada and the 1 GRS course.
 
He then spent a short period Great Britain before being posted to the Middle East.
 
Family recollection is that he was a member of Hume’s crew. This is highly possible as a photo in Mark Lax’s book “Alamein to the Alps” has a picture on page 143 that has Hume seated on a squadron truck enroute to the aircraft with what appears to Jimmy Taylor seated behind Hume (able to supply photos).

At demobilisation he was recorded as Flying Officer, and entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, War Medal and Service Medal. Sadly Jimmy passed away in the early 1970’s.

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On 28 Mar 2022, the Association was advised by Matt Duggan of this article which was published by the Southern Highlands Express on 19 Jan 2022 relating to Flying Officer James Harding Taylor 454

JH Taylor tags found.jpg
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