The Airmen's Stories - P.O. (FAA) D E Taylor

Dennis Edward Taylor was born on 13th November 1917.

He carried out his elementary flying training at 24 EFTS Sydenham near Belfast. He moved on to No. 1 FTS., Leuchars for No. 6 Course, which ran from 6th November 1939 to 21st April 1940.

He joined 808 Squadron at Wick on 1st July 1940, flying Fulmars on dockyard defence, this qualifying him for the Clasp.

Taylor embarked on HMS Ark Royal on 22nd October 1940 for service in the Mediterranean. On 3rd April 1941 he destroyed a Cant Z506B and on the 23rd shared a SM79.

Returning to the carrier on 23rd August Taylor became lost and ditched when he ran out of fuel. He and his gunner were picked up by a patrolling Sunderland.

Taylor was later serving with 807 Squadron. He was commissioned in May 1943 and retired after the war as a Lieutenant.

He was killed on 7th October 1978, when he crashed in a Piper aircraft near Honiton, Devon after his engine failed.

He is buried in All Saints Church, Eggesford, Devon.