This is Walcott (Wally) Taylor, an iconic Army sports star from the 2nd Bn of the Royal Anglian Regt nicknamed ‘The Poachers’.
Wally was a supreme Army athlete and signaller, that sadly died by his own hand, in 2010, whilst residing in Belfast.
Wally was actually selected to represent his country in the Moscow Olympics, such was his sporting prowess. He has an Army sports CV that’s breathtaking too.
All that knew him also knew that his death was absolutely linked to the trauma he suffered during the terrible INLA bombing attack that took place in Dec of 1982 at the ‘Droppin Well’ bar, in Ballykelly, Londonderry. 11 British Soldiers and 6 civilians dies as a result of the massacre.
Wally was actually off duty that night and had volunteered to cover the disc jockey slot for the night at the Droppin Well bar. He was very badly injured and yet somehow managed to drive back to Ebrington Barracks and make it to the medical centre where he was treated and then casevac’d to Belfast Military hospital.
There is no doubt that Wally’s passing in 2010 was attributable to the horrific events of that night and it’s clear that he suffered Complex PTSD for many years leading up to his death.
Quite recently (summer of 2023), myself and other members of the Poachers identified that Wally was laying in an unmarked grave and so we set about doing something about it.
Long story short, we collected £4800 from former and serving soldiers, friends and friends of friends, all in a 10 day period, such was Wally’s status in the unit!
The generous donations were used to purchase a fitting headstone for his grave, then a stunning memorial bench, that we sighted at his/our Regiments HQ (Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore, Liecs) and finally we even named the HQ’s Gymnasium extension after him, The Wally Taylor Combat Fitness Centre.
Rest in eternal peace brother, never forgotten.
“Once a Poacher, always a Poacher”
Craig Morris, the Taylor family, The Poachers and all that kindly contributed to this wonderful Army icon’s legacy and memories
Wally was a supreme Army athlete and signaller, that sadly died by his own hand, in 2010, whilst residing in Belfast.
Wally was actually selected to represent his country in the Moscow Olympics, such was his sporting prowess. He has an Army sports CV that’s breathtaking too.
All that knew him also knew that his death was absolutely linked to the trauma he suffered during the terrible INLA bombing attack that took place in Dec of 1982 at the ‘Droppin Well’ bar, in Ballykelly, Londonderry. 11 British Soldiers and 6 civilians dies as a result of the massacre.
Wally was actually off duty that night and had volunteered to cover the disc jockey slot for the night at the Droppin Well bar. He was very badly injured and yet somehow managed to drive back to Ebrington Barracks and make it to the medical centre where he was treated and then casevac’d to Belfast Military hospital.
There is no doubt that Wally’s passing in 2010 was attributable to the horrific events of that night and it’s clear that he suffered Complex PTSD for many years leading up to his death.
Quite recently (summer of 2023), myself and other members of the Poachers identified that Wally was laying in an unmarked grave and so we set about doing something about it.
Long story short, we collected £4800 from former and serving soldiers, friends and friends of friends, all in a 10 day period, such was Wally’s status in the unit!
The generous donations were used to purchase a fitting headstone for his grave, then a stunning memorial bench, that we sighted at his/our Regiments HQ (Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore, Liecs) and finally we even named the HQ’s Gymnasium extension after him, The Wally Taylor Combat Fitness Centre.
Rest in eternal peace brother, never forgotten.
“Once a Poacher, always a Poacher”
Craig Morris, the Taylor family, The Poachers and all that kindly contributed to this wonderful Army icon’s legacy and memories
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