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Chris Taylor

Deputy Chairman/Office Manager

I was born a long time ago and my first home was at RAF Pembroke Dock, home of the Sunderland Flying Boats where my father was stationed. Although I don’t remember the Sunderlands, I do recall Valiants at RAF Gaydon and Marham, Victors at RAF Cottesmore and Vulcans at RAF Scampton; there were plenty of moves between schools, hirings and married quarters during that period of my life. My family then moved to Singapore and I found myself heading towards boarding school for ‘continuity of education’ – my plea for clemency that I could do just as badly at school in Singapore cut no ice with my dad and off I went! Disappointed at dipping out on 3 years in Singapore, I joined the RAF as a craft apprentice at RAF Locking with the hidden intention of getting back to Singapore with some money; that plan failed quite early on when the RAF pulled out of the Far East!

Following my apprenticeship I had various postings in the UK, the main highlights being a 2-year posting to 280SU Troodos in Cyprus (Keo, brandy-sour anyone?), where I developed my passion for off-road motorbike racing, and four very good years at the NATO Satellite Communications Terminal at RAF Oakhanger. Following commissioning, I served as a ‘scribbly’ at RAF Stns Manston, Wittering, Cranwell (4 times if you include Initial Officer Training and no that doesn’t mean it took me 3 attempts to get through!), Hereford, Kinloss, Innsworth, Akrotiri and Benson. I probably covered most areas within the Branch but was fortunate to be located on flying stations for most of the time. I left the RAF in June 2006 following some excellent resettlement courses, although my (pitiful) efforts at carpentry confirmed, once and for all, that every bad word my woodwork teacher had to say about my skills all those years ago was true!

I am married to Pat (who works within the NHS) and we have twins, Kimberley and Colin aged 20, who are both in higher education; Kimberley at Northampton University studying marketing and Colin at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford studying rock guitar – good work if you can get it! The common thread throughout our time with the RAF was humour and comradeship. I hope that my role in the Families Federation has the dual benefit of continuing my association with the RAF and helping to make a difference for the RAF Family.

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