Walter Taylor

Walter Taylor (c1884-1940)

---

1940 Obituary

The funeral took place Grove Park Tuesday of Mr. Walter Taylor, aged 56 years, of New Cross, the brother of Mr. A. Taylor, the well-known East Peckham sportsman, who also had intimate associations with that village when he was connected with Messrs. Wm. Arnold and Sons, Branbridges during the very early days of motoring.

He was, in fact, one of the pioneers motoring, and at the tender age of he drove a Benz, for which at that time Messrs. Arnold’s were agents in this country, up to the Crystal Palace to take part in the first motor exhibition, and there drove about 1,000 miles demonstrating the Benz, since in those days car could be run only on private road without being preceded by a man with red flag. Among the many famous motorists of the day whom he drove at the exhibition was the Hon. C. S. Rolls, whose name will always be associated with Rolls-Royce and with flying. This car is now in the museum at Edinburgh.

East Peckham is really the home of the motor industry in Britain, for it was here that the first cars were made when the Arnold’s Oil Motor Carriage was produced under Benz patents, and Mr. Taylor played a large part in their marketing.

After leaving East Peckham he drove for Col. Challoner. M.P., of Oulsborougb Hall, Yorks, and among the many famous personalities he drove were Jimmy Thomas and Joynson Hicks - better known as "Jix,” and his love of motoring led him to travel widely the continent.

He leaves widow, one son and one daughter.

---

See Also

Loading...