Revd Gordon Clifford Taylor, M.A. 1915 –2009
Gordon Taylor, though not a ringer himself, had a special association with ringers and with the Middlesex County Association in particular which commends his remembrance to the Exercise. Gordon Taylor studied at Cambridge and subsequently Ripon Hall Oxford being ordained in 1937. His first curacy was at St Stephen’s Ealing followed by a spell as Assistant Master at Eton College. Early in 1940 at the age of 24 he became Chaplain to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve seeing service in many ships culminating in being Chaplain to HMS Rodney in 1944 during the Normandy operations. He continued as a naval chaplain right through to 1970, including on HMS Ark Royal and nuclear submarines, being awarded the decorations of VRD and Bar. His involvement resulted in his being the author of "The Sea Chaplains" a history of the service with a forward by HRH Prince Charles. He also became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. It was in 1949 that he first encountered bells and ringers at St Giles–in-the-Fields, Holborn where he had been appointed Rector. Gordon’s incumbency at St Giles was to become legendary where together with his wife Audrey the War-torn and relatively poor parish of St Giles was turned around. The church, shadowed with demolition, was made good and congregations grew. The family – Gordon, Audrey and their two daughters, Vanessa and Amanda, became an integral and active part of the parish. As his daughters remark "being a child of the Rectory was a rare and special thing". Gordon welcomed and encouraged bell-ringing and would defend their activities against any complainants. In 1955 Gordon was made President of the Middlesex Association, chairing meetings and attending functions, a post he was to hold until 1981 when he requested to stand down. At this point he was made a Vice President which he remained for life. With Gordon’s blessing the Middlesex Association Library was housed in the ringing room at St Giles where it remains today. When, sadly, his wife Audrey died, Gordon donated a trophy cup in her memory and this is still subject of annual competition in the Association. On a local level St Giles lunchtime ringing, encouraged by Gordon, thrived and Gordon was pleased to attend Christmas lunches with the ringers. Gordon appreciated former naval personnel amongst St Giles ringers. Currently Thursday ringing can usually produce up to spliced Surprise with regular quarter peals and ringing for Bible classes and other special occasions. In 1999 Gordon Taylor achieved 50 years as Rector, being one of the most senior incumbents in the Church of England. On the anniversary of his induction, 23rd January, a peal of Yorkshire was rung in his honour. Shortly after this Gordon retired and moved to Emsworth, Hampshire but still kept in touch and came to St Giles for his 90th birthday. Gordon’s funeral fittingly took place at St Giles on 10th July attended by a large congregation and conducted by the current Rector, the Ven. Dr William Jacob. As the cortege left the church for committal at Putney Vale Cemetery the bells of St Giles were rung half muffled. The band, which contained four St Giles tower captains, continued ringing a quarter peal in his memory. Our sympathies go out to Vanessa, Amanda and families with heartfelt thanks for Gordon’s life which contributed so much to the parish of St Giles.
Chris Mew
One time Tower Captain
