Ewen Southby-Tailyour

Last updated

Ewen Southby-Tailyour
Born (1942-01-18) 18 January 1942 (age 82)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Marines
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars Aden Emergency
Dhofar Rebellion
Operation Banner
Falklands War
Yugoslav Wars
Awards Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Sultan of Muscat's Bravery Medal
Other workYacht skipper, author

Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Southby-Tailyour, OBE [1] (born 18 January 1942) is a British author, sailor, and retired Royal Marine. He served for 32 years in the Royal Marines and, after retiring, he concentrated on his sailing and writing careers and has written a number of books on military history and the Royal Marines.

Contents

Early life

The son of General Sir Norman Tailyour, former Commandant General Royal Marines, Southby-Tailyour comes from a family with strong ties to the Royal Marines; an uncle, two cousins and a step-brother have previously served in the Corps. He attended Stubbington House School, Nautical College Pangbourne (where he was captain of sailing), [2] and the University of Grenoble in France.

Military career

Southby-Tailyour's early career included active service on operations in Aden, Northern Ireland, Oman, the Falkland Islands, Hong Kong and 13 winters in the Norwegian Arctic developing the use of fast raiding and assault craft for supporting commando operations. He also served in the United States, India, Djibouti, the West Indies, the North Sea (oil-rig protection), Cyprus, Corsica, Malta, Bahrain, the Yemen, Kuwait, and the South Atlantic from 1977 to 1979.

Southby-Tailyour was attached to the United States Marine Corps in 1977 in the eastern Mediterranean and, earlier, to the French Commando Hubert in Toulon, with which he attended their combatant nageur course and served in a submarine, a helicopter carrier and ashore in Corsica and Djibouti with the French Foreign Legion. Following Arabic-language courses at the Berlitz School of Languages in London and the Command Arabic Language School in Aden, he was seconded for two years as a reconnaissance platoon and company commander with the Sultan of Muscat's Armed Forces during the Dhofar War, where he was awarded the Sultan's Bravery Medal for gallantry in action.

In 1978, Southby-Tailyour was the officer commanding a small Royal Marines detachment that was posted to the Falkland Islands. The following year he was promoted to major. [3] It was then that on his own initiative he sailed around and extensively charted the waters around the islands, and had a 100+ page notebook filled with data on harbours, inlets and landing spots. This work, for which he was elected the UK's 1982 Yachtsman of the Year, and his personal knowledge of the area would later prove invaluable in the Falklands War. During this campaign he was the inshore navigational adviser to the amphibious commanders prior to leading the major landings. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross.

It was Southby-Tailyour who provided the Falkland Islands (Governor's) Flag for the raising ceremony at Government House on 17 June 1982. He had stolen the flag as a souvenir during his 1978–1979 military tour, and during the operation to retake the islands from Argentina, Southby-Tailyour confessed the theft and offered the flag back to the governor, Sir Rex Hunt. Hunt told him that he would forgive the theft if Southby-Tailyour personally put the flag back from where he had taken it, so in this manner, he obliged. [4]

External image
Searchtool.svg Royal Marines posing with the flag that Southby-Tailyour originally stole - and subsequently returned - to Government House

Southby-Tailyour's final four years' service were spent on the staffs of the Commandant General Royal Marines, and the Director General Surface Ships (Amphibious Group), helping to design and procure the next generation of amphibious shipping and craft, most notably Ocean, the Albion-class landing platform dock, the LCVP Mk 4 and the LCU Mk 10.

Post-military career

On retirement Southby-Tailyour was employed by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for duties in the Republic of Serbian Krajina and, subsequently, in Croatia along the Dalmatian Coast. He was retained by ABS Hovercraft as their amphibious and military adviser while also learning to 'fly' hovercraft. Currently he is believed to be aligned to Griffon Hoverwork.[ citation needed ]

In 1991, he established an amphibious consultancy that advised builders and governments on the design of amphibious vessels and the procedures for their operation.

He has published 17 books on amphibious-related subjects (including two novels) and is a commercial yacht skipper and amateur, high latitude explorer. His book 3 Commando Brigade: Helmand Assault [5] reached number seven in the Sunday Times best selling list. He has also written an historical novel of the Falklands that has been optioned for a full-length feature film. His other interests include watercolour painting, shooting and snorkelling. He was a member and chairman of the World Ship Trust and a member of the National Maritime Historical Society and the Society for Nautical Research. He was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation. He is a member of the Society of Authors.

Southby-Tailyour has been a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron since 1970 and has twice been awarded an engraved Rolex watch for exploring in high latitudes as well as winning the Camrose Trophy. Since 1972 he has been a member of the Royal Cruising Club which has twice awarded him the Goldsmith Exploration Award for charting the last five un-surveyed fiords in Iceland and for surveying much of the Falkland Islands coastline. He entered for the first nine, quadrennial Two Handed Round Britain and Ireland races and navigated six Fastnet races. The Ocean Cruising Club awarded him their Award of Merit for sailing single-handed during an Arctic winter. In 2021 he was invited to join the South West Shingles Yacht Club.

In 2006, he inaugurated and continued to organise the single-handed, Jester Challenge for yachts between 20 and 30 feet overall until he 'retired' in 2021 when he was 'elected' the Patron. Held annually the destinations are, in turn, Newport, Rhode Island, United States, Terceira in the Azores and Baltimore in the Republic of Ireland. In 2013 the Ocean Cruising Club awarded him the Jester Medal for "services to single-handed sailing."

He sat on the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) lifeboat committee for ten years, was the South West area governor of the Ocean Youth Club, and was the South West area member of the cruising committee of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

In July 2019 he was elected a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

Personal life

Southby-Tailyour lives in south Devon and the French Pyrenees.

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3 Commando Brigade</span> Commando Brigade of the United Kingdom

3 Commando Brigade, previously called the 3rd Special Service Brigade, is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces. It is composed of Royal Marine Commandos and commando qualified personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

HMS <i>Intrepid</i> (L11)

HMS Intrepid (L11) was one of two Fearless-class amphibious warfare ships of the Royal Navy. A landing platform dock (LPD), she served from 1967 until 1999. Based in HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon and HM Naval Base Portsmouth, she saw service around the world over her 32-year life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">45 Commando</span> Battalion sized formation of the Royal Marines

45 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized unit of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of the Fleet Commander.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pangbourne College</span> Public school in Berkshire, England

Pangbourne College is a co-educational private day and boarding school located in Pangbourne, Berkshire. It is set in 230 acres, on a hill south-west of the village, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Herbert George "Blondie" Hasler, was a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Marines. Soon after joining the Marines, he grew a splendid blonde moustache, from which he acquired his nickname ‘Blondie'. In December 1942, during the Second World War, Hasler led a small commando raid against Axis shipping in Bordeaux. He was responsible for many of the concepts which ultimately led to the post-war formation of the Special Boat Service. After the war he became a notable yachtsman, contributing especially to developments in single-handed sailing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">42 Commando</span> Battalion sized formation of the Royal Marines

42 Commando is a subordinate unit within the Royal Marines 3 Commando Brigade. Based at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, personnel regularly deploy outside the United Kingdom on operations or training. All Royal Marines personnel will have completed the Commando course at the Commando Training Centre (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon, entitling them to wear the green beret, with most attached personnel having completed the All Arms Commando Course.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Seal Cove</span> Naval action during the 1982 Falklands War

The Battle of Seal Cove was a minor naval action west of Lively Island, during the 1982 Falklands War. On the evening of 22 May 1982, while supporting Operation Sutton off San Carlos Bay, the British frigates HMS Brilliant and HMS Yarmouth received orders to stop and seize the Argentine Navy armed coastal supply boat ARA Monsunen. Under heavy shelling, the coaster managed to avoid capture by grounding on a nearby inlet.

This is the Operation Herrick ground order of battle, which lists any British ground forces that have taken part in the duration of Operation Herrick between 2002 and 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British logistics in the Falklands War</span> 1982 combat service support operations

The 1982 British military campaign to recapture the Falkland Islands depended on complex logistical arrangements. The logistical difficulties of operating 7,000 nautical miles from home were formidable. The Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands came at a time when the Royal Navy was experiencing a reduction in its amphibious capability, but it still possessed the aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and Invincible, the landing platform dock (LPD) ships HMS Fearless and Intrepid, and six landing ship logistics (LSL) ships. To provide the necessary logistic support, the Royal Navy's ships were augmented by ships taken up from trade (STUFT).

General Sir Norman Hastings Tailyour, was a Royal Marines officer who served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 1965 to 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment</span> Military unit

The Second Battalion, Parachute Regiment, is a formation of the Parachute Regiment, part of the British Army, and subordinate unit within 16th Air Assault Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forward Operating Base Delhi</span>

Forward Operating Base Delhi in Afghanistan was a military expeditionary base occupied by the United States Marine Corps. It was along the Helmand River Valley in Garmsir at an abandoned Agricultural College building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Reffell</span>

Admiral Sir Derek Roy Reffell, is a former Royal Navy officer and Governor of Gibraltar.

Task Force Helmand was the name given to a military unit of the International Security Assistance Force in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Task Force Helmand was part of Regional Command Southwest and consisted primarily of personnel from the British Armed Forces, as well as contribution from NATO allies Denmark and Estonia. It was established in April 2006, which coincided with the deployment of Operation Herrick 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forward Operating Base Jackson</span> Airport in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Forward Operating Base Jackson was a military base used by both British and US forces located just west of Sangin Village, Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Smith (Royal Marines officer)</span>

Major General Martin Linn Smith, is a former senior Royal Marines officer who served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 2014 to 2016. He was previously commander of 3 Commando Brigade, and before that Commanding Officer of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group and Deputy Commander of 3 Commando Brigade. Smith is currently a non-executive adviser of Texo Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Magowan</span> Royal Marines General

Lieutenant General Sir Robert Andrew Magowan, is a senior Royal Marines officer who serves as the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff since May 2022. He previously served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 2016 to 2017 and again from 2021 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander Littoral Strike Group</span> Position in the British Navy

The Commander Littoral Strike Group (COMLSG) is a senior British Royal Navy Amphibious warfare appointment. COMLSG, who is based in Stonehouse Barracks, Stonehouse, Plymouth, reports to Commander United Kingdom Strike Force. It was first established in 1971 as Commodore Amphibious Warfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Holmes (Royal Marines officer)</span> Royal Marines general (1967–2021)

Major General Matthew John Holmes, was a British senior Royal Marines officer who served for more than three decades in the armed forces. After studying economics at the University of Exeter, he joined the Royal Marines and undertook early tours of duty to Norway, the Far East, Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe. After being deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan, he commanded 42 Commando Royal Marines from 2006 to 2008 and was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for his leadership in Afghanistan, as well as the United States Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious service. Holmes served as Commandant General Royal Marines from 2019 to 2021.

Commodore Michael Cecil Clapp, is a retired senior Royal Navy officer who commanded the United Kingdom's amphibious assault group, Task Group 317.0, in the Falklands War.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 49134". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 October 1982. p. 12857.
  2. ↑ "The Pangbournian, No.40 – News from OPs". Old Pangbournian Society. 2010. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "No. 47738". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 1979. p. 328.
  4. ↑ Times Insight Team (1982). "The Falklands War, The Full Story". Andre Deutsche Limited. pp. 185–186. ISBN   0-233-97515-2.
  5. ↑ 3 Commando Brigade: Helmand Assault. Ebury Press. 2011. ISBN   978-0-09-193776-8.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.