Jack Edward Taylor was born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire on 17 June 1913, the son of David William Taylor (a bridge erector for Great Western Railways) and Harriett Beatrice ‘Ettie’ Taylor (née Parrott). Jack had an elder sister – Gwendoline. When the 1921 Census was taken the Taylor family were at home at 25, Painswick Road.

It is not known what Jack Taylor did after leaving school, when he joined the Royal Navy or when he joined submarines but, in April 1943 he was an Acting Leading Stoker (Temporary) serving in HMS REGENT in the Mediterranean.  He died when REGENT was lost with all hands, probably by hitting a mine near Monopoli, Italy.

Jack Taylor was the husband of Betty Margaret Taylor (née Morris) of Kewstoke, Westfield Road, Brockworth, Gloucestershire and the father of Michael Anthony Taylor. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Panel 82 Column 1.