Distinguished Conduct Medal : Sergeant D R Taylor, 2/7 Battalion, AIF

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo VI). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

VX5449 Douglas Roy 'Jock' Taylor was born at Portlethen, Scotland, in August 1903. He was working as a labourer in Melbourne prior to his enlistment in the second AIF in October 1939. As a corporal in 2/7 Battalion, Taylor quickly gained a reputation as a good-humoured soldier who was completely fearless in action. He fought with his unit in the attack on Bardia, then in the campaigns in Greece and Crete, narrowly escaping death or capture on a number of occasions, and was promoted sergeant in August 1941. The 2/7 Battalion returned to Australia in early 1942, and was sent to New Guinea later in the year. By October they were engaged at Milne Bay, and in December, Taylor was severely wounded at Buna, in the action for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His recovery was lengthy, and he was not able to rejoin the battalion until November 1943. Promoted to warrant officer class II in 1944, he served for the remainder of the war in northern New Guinea, primarily in the Aitape-Wewak area. Post war, he became a publican in Collingwood, and later worked for the Essendon City Council. Jock Taylor died in 1968.