(Technical Director)

Southend Commercial Aviation pioneer Tom Taylor passed away on Friday 4^th of June 2010 aged 97. He had recently returned to Southend-on-Sea with his wife after spending many years retirement in Bournemouth . He leaves a wife Carmen (known as Rene), a daughter Patricia and a son Brian.

Following his father, he started out life as a woodworking  Newsums in Gainsborough, Lincs in 1934. He became very interested in aviation and when the second World War broke out he joined the Auxiliary Airforce because most aircraft then required carpentry skills to keep them flying. He was one of the very early Licensed Aircraft Engineers, his first licence (number 4616) being issued by the Air Ministry in 1940 covering DH 82 landplanes. He expanded his coverage after the war with both airframe and engine licenses and by the late 1940s was working as an inspector for Crasher Ashley’s. Skyways that was then based at Dunsfold in Surrey. It was here he first met Mike Keegan (the K in BKS) and the two joined forces again in the early 1950s when Tom initially joined Cruisair, and then BKS as Chief Inspector after the demise of Cruisair. There he remained until the airline was completely absorbed into British Airways in the early 1970s by which time he was Technical Director. During these years he lived in Manners Way – just a couple of minutes from the airport. In those days the BKS engineering base at Southend Airport was one of the town’s largest employers, but he was also known by engineering staff at all the main BKS bases such as Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford as he travelled around the engineering facilities. Southend staff will recall the BKS Christmas dinners held at Garons. He will be remembered for his dedication to the airline, his eye for detail and his fairness. He certainly saw the world during this period and has to be considered amongst the Commercial Aviation pioneers as this side of the industry developed rapidly in post war years with BKS becoming one of the leading and most respected players. In fact Southend airport became a hot bed of commercial airlines with people like Freddie Laker and Jack Jones basing their businesses there; and every Sunday lunch time the cocktail bar next to the old control tower contained a Who’s Who of commercial aviation pioneers.  

After he left BKS he continued in the industry as a licensed aircraft engineer consultant for many aviation companies as well as signing off planes for the Southend Gliding Club. He travelled around the globe, inspecting and advising on aircraft for companies before they were purchased or leased. Gardening, painting and golf became his main leisure activities in later years. Although his important job limited family life, his children remember it always as quality time and he was very supportive. There were enjoyable family Christmas get togethers and great holidays - first in Devon and Cornwall and later in Europe of course as Commercial Aviation broadened everyone’s horizons. Everybody who flies abroad for holidays owes him and his breed a great debt of gratitude. He will be missed.

The funeral will take place in the small Chapel at Southend Crematorium at 3.00pm on June 22^nd followed by a Wake at the Roslin Beach Hotel in Thorpe Bay from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. BKS staff, and others who knew Tom are welcome, but contact his son Brian to let him know the numbers. Flowers to Cooperative Funeral Care, 28 High Street , Great Wakering, Essex , SS3 0EQ before 12.00 noon on June 22^nd.

 Brian Taylor   tel 01395 579733

Please email me and I will pass your emails directly on to Brian.  (I do not like placing emails addresses on the website, because of the spam problems.)