Buxton, Derbyshire, England, UK
British Royal Marine
Marine Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marine
5/30/2010, Sangin, Afghanistan
‘Scotty’ was born on 2nd April 1989, and made our family complete, he was always happy and lit up our world with his smile. Scotty studied hard at school; his favourite subjects were History, Technology, and Physical Education. He loved outdoor pursuits and orienteering, and knew from an early age that this was where his future lay. Scott loved listening to stories from his dad about when he served with the Royal Marines. On September 29th 2006, his elder brother Liam passed out for duty as a Royal Marine Commando and Scotty proudly watched him receive his green beret, knowing that in a few years he would follow him into the corps.
Scotty started training in September 2007, and passed out on the 26th September 2008. He took part in TAURUS 2009, the largest Royal Naval deployment in over 10 years, culminating in the Far East where he completed arduous jungle warfare training in Brunei. He then focused on training for 40 Commando’s deployment to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 12. In early April he deployed there, tragically on 30th May 2010 he was killed as a result on an explosion, which occurred when he and Alpha Company were conducting a foot patrol within the area around Sangin to help reassure the local population
A close friend said of him “Scotty was the whole package – kind, loving (devoted to his family and friends)’ generous and full of fun and mischief. As well as being extremely brave and strong in mind and body, he was truly selfless, showing respect for all he came into contact with. He had the highest of morals and was a loyal and true friend.”
His Commanding Officer said “Marine Scott Taylor was everything I wanted in a Bootneck: proud but not arrogant, loyal but still independent, courageous but not foolhardy, he was an outstanding Marine. Brave, strong, bright and physically very fit, he was an utterly selfless man, who was often unassuming, preferring instead to let his action speak for him – and this they spoke with power and tumult.” His Sergeant said of him “If I could have 30 guys like Scotty in the troop then I would have been a very happy man”
Fellow Marines wrote, “Scott was an awesome soldier and an even better person”, “I never heard him complain without laughing”. A touching tribute read, “ I know it is a cliché to say it but Scotty really was the personification of a Royal Marine Commando. His selflessness, dedication, determination, courage, integrity and sense of duty were just some of the qualities that make Scotty a perfect example of what a Bootneck should be.”
We were privileged to be Scotty’s parents as Liam was to have him as his younger brother. As a mother I always felt in awe of him for the special person he was, respectful of others and modest of his own achievements. Material things had no value to Scotty, the love and respect of his family and friends meant much more.