FIELDS WE PROTECT

Hamilton Gault Park was gifted to the people of Taunton by Brigadier Andrew Hamilton Gault in 1931 during his time as MP for the town and opened on 12th May 1932 by HRH The Duke of York, later King George VI. Today the park has three football pitches, a changing pavilion, children's play area and a skate park, which caters for both beginners and experienced skaters. It also features an impressive avenue of horse chestnut trees.

Gault, born 18th August 1882 in Margate, Kent, was a British politician and Canadian Army officer who at his own expense founded the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the last privately raised regiment in the British Empire and the first Canadian troops to arrive in France during World War I.

Brigadier Gault was wounded during the morning of the Second Battle of Ypres but carried on until a second more serious injury compelled him to pass on command. He rejoined in October 1915 but was wounded during the Battle of Mont Sorrel which resulted in him losing a leg. Despite the loss of his leg he returned to France and commanded the Patricia's until demobilisation and was one of only two officers from the regiment to survive the conflict.