Taylor was an independent scholar and an experienced museum professional who worked on a free-lance basis.
He took a degree in Geology from the University of Wales in 1974, followed by an MA in British First World War Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2007, and a PhD from the same institution in 2017.
He lived near Perth (Scotland) for many years and was a founder member and the chair of the Tayside Branch of the Western Front Association.
