Jim Taylor (explorer)
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Lindsay Taylor (25 January 1901 – 28 June 1987) was an Australia
n born, Papua New Guinea
n explorer. He is most noted for leading patrols (explorations) into the Highlands of Papua New Guinea in the 1930s. In particular the 1933 patrol in the Wahgi Valley with the brothers Dan and Mick Leahy
and surveyor Ken Spinks; and for the Hagen-Sepik patrol with John Black in 1938-39.
Taylor enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force
in March 1917 aged 16 and served with the 34th Battalion
in France where he was gassed and wounded. He also served in the Second World War in the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit
(ANGAU) reaching the rank of Major.
Following the war Taylor married and settled at Goroka
in the highlands.
Jim Taylor had two daughters and an adopted son. His daughter, Meg Taylor
was Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to the United States, Mexico and Canada in Washington DC from 1989-94.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n born, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
n explorer. He is most noted for leading patrols (explorations) into the Highlands of Papua New Guinea in the 1930s. In particular the 1933 patrol in the Wahgi Valley with the brothers Dan and Mick Leahy
Mick Leahy
Michael "Mick" James Leahy MBE was an Australian explorer and colonialist, famed for his discovery of the Highlands area of Papua New Guinea...
and surveyor Ken Spinks; and for the Hagen-Sepik patrol with John Black in 1938-39.
Taylor enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
in March 1917 aged 16 and served with the 34th Battalion
34th Battalion (Australia)
The 34th Battalion was a unit of 1st Australian Imperial Force, which was established in World War I. The battalion was formed in January 1916 as part of the 9th Brigade of the Australian 3rd Division. The bulk of the battalion’s recruits were drawn from the Maitland area and thus it was dubbed...
in France where he was gassed and wounded. He also served in the Second World War in the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit
Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit
The Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit was a civil administration of Territory of Papua and the Mandated Territory of New Guinea formed on 21 March 1942 during World War II...
(ANGAU) reaching the rank of Major.
Following the war Taylor married and settled at Goroka
Goroka
Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. It is a town of approximately 19,000 people , 1600m above sea level. It has an airport and is on the "Highlands Highway", about 285 km from Lae in Morobe province and 90 km from the nearby town of Kainantu also...
in the highlands.
Jim Taylor had two daughters and an adopted son. His daughter, Meg Taylor
Meg Taylor
Dame Meg Taylor DBE is a Papua New Guinean lawyer and diplomat.She received her LL.B degree from Melbourne University, Australia, and her LL.M degree from Harvard University, USA...
was Ambassador of Papua New Guinea to the United States, Mexico and Canada in Washington DC from 1989-94.
External links
- National Library Australia - http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms9218
- 1933 Argus Article - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/11724180