We are sad to record the death of Roy Taylor on the 1st May. Roger Goodchild has written this personal tribute to him.

This is not a eulogy, nor a historical account of Roy’s engineering career. Merely a few personal remarks to commemorate the passing of a good friend.

I first got to know Roy well four years ago, though I had met him earlier. We came together when I got my steam launch up and running and he was on the point of selling his “Kim Lorraine” - named after his daughter. He introduced me to TME which he had joined in 1988.

Roy had been unwell for sometime, but played down the lung cancer and asbestosis from which he suffered despite a debilitating course of chemotherapy. When I was with him at this year’s exhibition, I would never have known that we were going to lose him so soon afterwards.

He was an amazingly competent engineer in spite of his disability of having lost an arm in a motorbike accident in 1968. He used to say to me, “I don’t know how you can cope in the workshop, not being able to see!” I used to reply “Roy, if I lost an arm, I’d curl up and give up!” I remember admiring the brass cleats on his boat and asked where he had obtained them. “I made them”, he told me. “Filed them out!” Those who have seen his 2” Burrell Gold Medal Showman’s Engine, “Russell” - named after his son - would understand. It would score high points at any exhibition. Only an engineer would appreciate the skilful phenomenal workmanship that went into its making and it is a superb tribute to his capability.

He was a very good friend to me, kind with helpful advice and always encouraging. I shall miss him. The last time that he was in my workshop, he dropped a pound coin down into the pit where I keep my big compressor. He said at the exhibition, “You owe me a quid when you find it”. When I do, it will come to the club in one form or another!

I’m glad to have known you Roy and thanks for all, old lad!