Alf was born in Walthamstow, London on the 29th of March 1924, the youngest of four children, two brothers Harry and George and a sister Peggy with whom he grew up. Alf met his wife Betty when he was working as a courier for the electricity board in Ilford where Betty also worked.

They were married in Walthamstow on the 20th of November 1964. It was in a flat in Walthamstow that he and Betty started their family with the births of their two sons Gary and John who went on to marry Sue and Sarah. Alf didn’t enjoy the hustle and bustle of the shops but his sense of humour and fun led him to enjoy the hustle and bustle of time with his family with whom he loved to spend time this included his 6 grandchildren Tracie, Steven, Sheryl, Samantha, Alice and Rosie and his 6 great grandchildren Chloe, Amy-Louise, Kaitlin, Aaron, Emily-Mae and Sadie-belle.

At the outbreak of World War Two, Alf’s attempts to join up were blighted by the fact that he was too young, so his parents had to bring him home. But that didn’t stop him for long 5960428 Taylor A, joined the T.A. at Whips Cross in 1941 at the age of sixteen. He trained at Kempston Barracks Bedford and was first posted to Kings Lynn and then on to Ipswich. Alf went on Training for the Parachute Regiment, at Ringwood in Hampshire and then returned to the Hertfordshire Regiment. He then received more training, this time for beach landing parties. He went to Scotland and in May 1944 down to Weymouth. Alf landed in Normandy on D day plus 2 on the famous Juno beach. He had to ‘Dig in’ under fire until they moved forward. He was then posted from the Hertfords to the 2nd Essex, known as the Pompadours, as re-enforcements. Alf served in this Regiment through Fallais, Le Havre and up to Belgium. Then he crossed the Rhine at Arnhem in Holland but soon came home on compassionate leave when his Father was killed by a V2 rocket in London, in March 1945. On his return to Europe he was attached to a transit camp in the South of France. Alf was demobilized from Aldershot barracks in 1947.

This was a hugely significant time in Alf’s life. He lost two of his closest friends in the battles as well as having to come home when his father was killed. Alf has always had a great affection for France and its people, never forgetting the experiences of that time. At the anniversary of the D-Day invasion in June, he would go on ‘his travels’ and visit the war cemeteries and join in the remembrance celebrations in Normandy.

More recently he went on organised trips with the Royal Anglian Regiment and he considered it to be a great honour when he was asked to lay a wreath on behalf of the regiment in 2008. He was also especially proud to swap stories and meet the present Army personnel who accompanied them on those trips. Alf has continued these links by attending the Royal British Legion’s meetings and through the Royal Anglian Association.

Returning to London after the War, he worked for a time as a Cabinet maker and French Polisher in Walthamstow. This led him into the hobby of restoring furniture. To improve his skills he enrolled in a French Polishing and Upholstery course. This hobby grew into a part time business in which he took on private commissions. Alf also enjoyed the outdoor life of walking and fishing. The fishing was often on the River Lea and shared on occasion with grandson Steven. After his retirement Alf was well known for spending time in his shed and appearing at the door with blood pouring from another DIY incident, he spent hours making things. Alf also developed a love of art and painting he was a much valued member of the Friday Art Group in Castle Hedingham whose leader said that Alf was a lovely gentle quiet soul who produced beautiful animal paintings that were often displayed at the annual art festival.

The Reverend Paul Corson summed up his tribute to Alf as follows “So that is the Alf Vinton-Taylor I have found: a man who liked the quiet life, a life defined by his family, his military service and the application of his creative abilities, often for the benefit of others” .