Saint Cyprian Tayler

Captain Saint Cyprian Churchill Tayler MC was an English World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. He scored those victories while flying two tours of combat for two different squadrons; he used three makes of aircraft in the process.

Early life
Saint Cyprian Churchill Tayler was born on 26 February 1896. His parents were John Frederic Jenner and Minnie Ruth Tayler. Although born in Winchester, England, the younger Tayler enlisted in Natal, South Africa; his home of record was The Haven on Boshoffs Road.

World War I
15 August 1916 Cadet Tayler was commissioned as a second lieutenant on probation in the Royal Sussex Regiment. On 6 February 1917 he was appointed as a second lieutenant and transferred to the General List of the Royal Flying Corps.

On 14 May 1917, he scored his first aerial victory while flying in Arthur Coningham's flight. After scoring twice more, Pilot Officer Tayler was appointed as a Flight Commander on 13 July 1917, with an accompanying promotion to temporary Captain. A report of his being wounded in action on 31 July was published on 16 August 1917.

His exploits earned him a Military Cross, awarded 27 September 1917. It was gazetted on 9 January 1918:

""For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading offensive patrols against enemy aircraft. On five occasions at least he and his patrol have attacked and brought down hostile machines. These successes were almost entirely due to his very skilful piloting.""

In late 1917, Tayler was transferred to a new squadron that was forming, No. 80 Squadron. He returned to combat with them in January 1918; he would score his last three victories for them.

On 17 March 1918, Tayler was killed in combat with Heinrich Kroll. Saint Cyprian Churchill Tayler is buried in an unidentified plot in Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery. He is also memorialized on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

List of aerial victories
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I