In April 1941 Taylor reportedly relocated from Sydney to his home in Melbourne, where it was announced he would focus on radio work. Taylor enlisted in the Australian army on 7 October 1942 at East Prahran. During the war he served as a military policeman, in the Army Amenities Unit based in Sydney and in the Australian Army Entertainment Unit alongside Smoky Dawson. Part of his duties involved visiting the troops and touring the islands. He served in New Guinea and Borneo.