Obituary

by Mark Teskesbury

I have to report the passing of SEAMS honorary member Eric Taylor on 16th June at home shortly after his 88th Birthday. Eric did his apprenticeship at Rice Bros in Horsham leading to a lifetimes interest in mechanics. He did National Service including time in Malaya, driving many different Army lorries. A return to mechanics but later on a spell of driving his own lorry followed before settling down to be an Estate mechanic. He will be best remembered for his Lister N type that graced the rally fields around Sussex for many years. There will be those that also remember his stubbornness in refusing any help with it, especially in later years, yet it was this dogged determination that kept him active up until quite recently when an unfortunate stroke followed major surgery. I can attest that under that gruff exterior was a heart of gold and a mischievous sense of humour! He will be sorely missed by his wife Birthe and his family. A legacy Eric leaves is the Allen 3S30 that he rescued from a Surrey pumping station and allowed SEAMS to purchase and eventually donate to Internal Fire Museum, where it can be seen running regularly.