Tributes To Fourth Somerset Marine Killed in Afghanistan

The MOD's named the latest Somerset based marine to be killed in Afghanistan. 21 year old Scott Taylor from Derbyshire died in an explosion in Sangin, Helmand Province on Sunday night.

Marine Taylor is the fourth marine from 40 Commando to be killed in action in the last month. Corporals Christopher Harrison, Stephen Walker and Stephen Curley all died in the same area of Afghanistan in May.

A special service is being held at All Saints Church, Norton Fitzwarren on Thursday (3rd) at 7.30pm to remember the life of Corporal Curley.

A number of tributes have been paid to the man his colleagues knew as Scotty....

Marine Taylor's family have made the following statement:

"Scotty was the perfect son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend who would do anything for anybody no matter who they were, always caring and respectful. He loved his family and lit up the room with his smile. He had a wicked sense of humour and was loyal, caring and brave, never showing pain. He will leave a void in everyone's lives who knew him that can never be filled."

Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, Commanding Officer, 40 Commando Group, Combined Force Sangin, said:

"Marine Scott Taylor was everything I needed 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 actions speak for him - and they spoke with power and tumult.

"He was a giant in the gymnasium, a consummate professional in the field and a true mate to his friends. He died on patrol in southern Sangin as point man, leading the men who he had grown to love like brothers.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother and father, his brother Marine Liam Taylor and all his friends and family. He will be sadly missed by all in 40 Commando. Marine Scotty Taylor was, and will always be, a Royal Marine Commando."

Major Sean Brady, Officer Commanding Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, said:

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     "Marine Scott Taylor or 'Scotty' to his mates was an outstanding Marine who demonstrated on a daily basis both immense courage and determination. Due to his maturity and diligent nature he had been selected to be the lead man for his section, with the responsibility for clearing a safe path for the remainder of the Marines in the patrol.

"This task is not only physically demanding but mentally exhausting; in this he excelled and I have no doubt that he saved the lives of his comrades on countless occasions. Although he had only been in the Royal Marines for a short period he had already made a lasting impact on everyone he had met.

"On first impressions he came across as quiet and unassuming, however this hid the fact that he was extremely driven; whether it was in the gym, where he outshone most people in the company, or in the jungle where he demonstrated superior soldiering skills. When asked what his ambition in the Royal Marines was, he replied 'to become a sniper and then in time a Regimental Sergeant Major'.

"For many this would be nothing more than a pipe dream but for Scotty it was not difficult to envisage him achieving these goals. I can say without any hesitation that he was a natural leader and that a glittering career has been cut short. Nevertheless, he died doing what he wanted to do, leading from the front and setting an example that the rest of us must now try to emulate.

"It is difficult to quantify the degree of loss that will be felt by Alpha Company; our pain is insignificant when compared to that of his parents, Stephen and Jayne, as well as his brother Liam who is also a serving Royal Marine. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this most distressing of times."

Sergeant Danny Pea, 2 Troop Sergeant and Commander of Patrol Base Jamil, Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, said:

"How or what do you feel when you lose one of your own men out here? Well now I know, Scotty or 'The Back' as the lads knew him, was a professional, determined and dedicated soldier. Scotty was a very strong individual, a Marine that the lads looked up to. He was a mature and hardworking man who when asked to do something would do it to the best of his ability and without question.

"If I could have had 30 guys like Scotty in the troop then I would have been a very happy man. Scotty was what we describe in the Corps as the 'Grey Man', the job was always done without hesitation and he would not normally stand out from the crowd, but this was the way he liked it, and I would not have wanted it any other way.

"My thoughts go out to his family and friends and anyone else who knew Scotty Taylor. He was a man, soldier and a friend that I will never forget. Rest in peace mate and look out for us all while we are out here."

Marine Pete Carver, 2 Troop, Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, said:

"Scotty, what a lad! You could always tell what he was thinking, and it was usually about how good his pecs looked. I never heard him complain without him laughing. He was always talking about going for a few beers in Bali or about how great Buxton water was.

"I always looked up to Scotty because of his positive attitude towards everything; when he set his mind on something he just got on with it. Scotty was a true friend and one that no-one can replace; I even thought of him as a brother, looking after him on nights out. My heart goes out to his friends and family. Scotty will be truly missed but never forgotten."