General Sir Richard Chambré Hayes Taylor is most closely linked to Highland history through his time spent as Colonel of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, a position which he held from 1887 until his death in 1904. He also commanded the battalion at Fort George from 1856 – 1857.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, on the 19th March 1819, Taylor’s career saw him fighting in the 18th Royal Irish in the Second Anglo-Burmese War, command the 79th Cameron Highlanders during the Crimean War, who were part of the Highland Brigade. He then commanded a brigade in India during the Indian Uprising of 1857-58. Having joined the General Staff in 1860, he retired as Governor of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1886.

Taylor was mentioned in Despatches on 20th September 1887: “War Office, Pall Mall: The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, General Sir Richard Chambre Hayes Taylor, K.C.B., from the East Surrey Regiment, to be Colonel; vice General Sir John Douglas, G.C.B deceased. Dated 9th September, 1887.”

This impressive Knight Grand Cross Star of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath was awarded to General Sir Richard Taylor, who was invested by King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 8th of August 1902.

Taylor also received the GCB Badge, Crimea Medal with Alma, Balaklava, and Sebastopol clasps, the Indian Mutiny Medal with Lucknow clasp, the Order of the Medjidie (4th Class), the Sardinian Medal for Valour, and the Turkish Crimea Medal.