Len Taylor
I am sorry to have to say that Len Taylor crossed the bar this afternoon, 23rd December. His daughter Sandra said that he passed peacefully and that she was by his side. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for some time.
I shall let the forum known when the funeral is to take place.
Best regards, Terry Davies. Posted on the forum 23 December 2014.
All the Boyer family ( wife Marian and daughters Alison and Catherine) are very sad to learn that "Uncle" Len has passed away. We all have very happy memories of him on our voyages together. As my Chief on a number of voyages Len was reliability and expertise personified.A great shipmate and one of the stalwarts of the 'Old Firm'. I send all our sincere sympathy to his family. He will always be remembered. Best regards. Bryan Boyer. Posted on the forum 24 December 2014.
Very sorry to read that Len had crossed the bar. My condolences to his family. It was 45 years ago when we last sailed together on the maiden voyage of the Cornish City but it sometimes feels like yesterday when I would be listening to Len and Danny Lloyd talking about the "Good Old Days" over lunch or dinner - I learnt a lot about the history of our old ships and the characters that sailed in them from those two - the year was 1969 and I was the Mate. I had my own problems on deck with all the fancy gear - Velle Derricks, hydraulic hatches etc. but nothing compared to the problems Len, Eddie Morgan and the rest of the ER staff were having! However, the camaradie on that voyage was amazing with everyone chipping in and helping out on deck or in the engine room to make things work. I seem to remember that there was a problem to fix every day of the voyage..............nevertheless a very happy ship and a great crew! RIP Len. Tony Crowther. Posted on the forum 24 December 2014.
Lenny Taylor was the best Chief Engineer I ever sailed with.
I was his Fourth Engineer on the new Cardiff and Devon Cities. I believe I had a great rapport with him and I looked forward to his visits to the Engine room every morning on the 8 to 12 watch.
We almost always met up around 09.30 in the control room for a chat about things before he went up for smoko just before 10.00. Lenny had a great sense of humour and always a soft spot for his young Engineers. Lenny's Wife was also on board and was quite protective of us young lads.
I remember stumbling out of a particularly hot engine room one day when the pair of them were just passing. After a short glance at my sweat soaked boiler suit Lenny was told " Quick Len get Robbie a cold beer!". Lenny's face was like thunder but he knew not to argue. After that I always splashed myself with water every time I came out the Engine room door but a repeat never happened.
I have brilliant memories of a wonderful Gentlemen and a Great Engineer.
My Condolences to his Family and Friends.
Robbie Bell. Posted on the forum 24 December 2014.
Both Marion and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Len.
Strangely I never sailed with him but associated with him and Josie frequently whilst on leave in Appledore. We would chew the fat over some of the "old brigade". An extremely likeable chap whom I consider, never recovered from the tragic loss of his wife. Well liked and respected in Appledore and, from the above observations, a competent engineer who served RSL diligently. A great loss.
RIP Len. John Cann. Posted on the forum 26 December 2014.
Just to add my personal sadness at hearing the news about Len Taylor's passing.
It's a long time ago now but Len was C/E on my first trip to sea on the old Cardiff March 1965 to May 1966, along with his wife and daughter Sandra, who at that time was slightly older than me but probably about the same age as the other apprentices. Not sure of the date but I remember they left us halfway through the trip in Japan after about 5/6 months, I think and Danny Trigg joined. I hope that Sandra doesn't mind me saying but we had some very pleasant times going ashore as a group with her, just doing completely innocent and friendly things like going to the movies and shopping in Japan etc. We even went to see a football match at Everton when we were in Birkenhead early on in the trip !
While inevitably Len was very protective of his daughter, I always found him to be a gentleman and to me even as a first trip apprentice, he was noticeably a very good engineer. As has been said, one of the highly professional officers who really made our company. RIP Len and thanks for your example to me, even as a deck apprentice. Graham Mapplebeck. Posted on the forum 26 December 2014.
Len's passing away has taken the wind out of my sails. I sailed with him when I was 3rd Eng., on the same voyage referred to by Graham Mapplebeck. As already mentioned he was a real gentleman and very knowledgeable engineer - you could not have wished for a better Ch. Eng.
R.I.P. Len it was a privilege to have met and sailed with you.
Jon Hewson. Posted on the forum 27 December 2014.
My Mum, Pat Jack, and all our family send our deepest condolences to Sandra and family. Len was a good friend to my Dad and it was with great sadness that my Mum read of Len's passing. He'll always be remembered by me - I had a small teddy bear named "Lenny" as it was a gift from him when I was born. I think I still have it somewhere! Best regards. Alastair Jack. Posted on the forum 1 January 2015.