Kenneth Baring Taylor died at his residence at St. Albans, Herts, on April 11th, 1941, after a short illness, at the age of 49. He was the younger son of the late Mr. Edward Sydney Taylor; and was great-grandson of the John Taylor who founded the well-known firm of John Taylor & Sons. At the time of his death he was senior partner of the firm.
He received his technical training at Liverpool University, where he graduated as Bachelor of Engineering, and on completion of his course he entered into practical engineering with Sandycroft Foundry, Ltd., and Messrs. Thomas Robinson & Sons.
In 1914 he went to South Africa in connexion with the mining machinery business of Sandycroft Foundry, but in August of that year he returned to England and obtained a commission in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and served as Adjutant and Captain through the Gallipoli and Middle East campaigns, and obtained the Military Cross.
On demobilization, he returned to South Africa, first as assistant manager to Messrs. S. Sykes & Co., and subsequently as manager of the branch office of Sandycroft Foundry, Ltd., and the Climax Rock Drill and Engineering Works, Ltd., in Johannesburg. In December, 1922, he joined the staff of John Taylor & Sons, and in the following year was admitted a partner in the firm. In that capacity he made many visits to the Kolar Gold Field and other mines in India, and the oilfields of Burma. He also visited South Africa and Canada in connexion with the world-wide interests of the firm. As regards the Kolar Gold Field in particular, he was greatly concerned in the welfare of the 24,000 Indians who were employed on the mines, and received warm commendation in the annual reports of the Inspector of Mines in that respect.
Mr. Taylor was admitted to Studentship of the Institution in 1923: he was elected an Associate in 1926, and was transferred.to Membership in 1931.
Vol. 51, Trans IMM 1941-42, p.339
