Tayler attended the
Royal Military College, Sandhurst as a
cadet, before being commissioned as a
second lieutenant in the
Royal Sussex Regiment on 16 August 1916. He was soon seconded to the
Royal Flying Corps, and after completing his flying training he was appointed a flying officer on 6 February 1917. Posted to
No. 32 Squadron, he scored his first aerial victory on 14 May 1917 while flying an
Airco DH.2 single-seat fighter in
Arthur Coningham's flight. His squadron was re-equipped with the
Airco DH.5, in which he scored twice more in early July, before he was appointed a
flight commander on 13 July 1917, with the
acting rank of captain. He shared in three more victories before a report of his being
wounded in action on 31 July was published on 16 August 1917. Tayler's exploits earned him the
Military Cross, awarded on 26 September 1917. The award was
gazetted on 9 January 1918, his citation reading: :Second Lieutenant St. Cyprian Churchill Tayler, Royal Sussex Regiment and Royal Flying Corps. ::"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 posted to the newly formed
No. 80 Squadron, to fly the
Sopwith Camel single-seat fighter. He returned to combat in France with them in January 1918, serving as commander of "C"
Flight. He was promoted to lieutenant on 16 February 1918. Tayler gained his last three victories on 10 and 11 March. On 17 March 1918 he was shot down and killed in combat by
Heinrich Kroll of
Jasta 24. Originally reported as missing, his death was not officially confirmed until 12 November 1919. Having no known grave he is commemorated at the
Arras Flying Services Memorial. ==List of aerial victories==