The Second HMS Manchester Association

Promoted to commander in 1978, during the Falklands War Taylor was on the staff at Northwood: "I would have loved to have been there, but the next best place was at the fleet headquarters, where we were part of the fighting machine." His role as Fleet Missile and Gunnery Officer included developing the tactics and equipment to defeat the Argentinians. During the trial of a missile jammer, he flew in a helicopter which simulated a target. He briefed the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, after the destroyer Glamorgan was hit by a shore-based Exocet, and later oversaw the purchase of Phalanx CIWS from the US Navy.

His 1984-85 command of the destroyer Manchester was enlivened by a Soviet spy ship, which, despite warnings in the international code of signals, zigzagged across his course while he was underway and replenishing ammunition from the fleet auxiliary Resource during a Nato exercise. Taylor held his nerve and is said to have "shaken his fist in anger" when the Russian got too close. He also claimed an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the furthest-travelled barrel of beer, carrying a barrel of Ballards Brewery's winter ale from his home village, Rogate, West Sussex, to drink in Port Stanley on Christmas Day 1984.

In 1990-91 Taylor ran the Maritime Tactical School, where in the run-up to the first Gulf War he war-gamed scenarios, liaised with the US Navy and wrote a concept of operations

On Thursday 19th October we learned of the passing of Bob (BTC) Mullen. He was 64 years of age and had been ill for some time. His funeral took place at Portchester Crematorium on Friday 17th November 2023. The turnout to honour Bob was phenomenal - for every person squeezed into the chapel there were two outside.

As part of the service, Gilly Gilchrist - a lifelong friend of Bob's and a great comfort to Bob in his final years - made a very moving tribute to Bob and an extract appears below -

"Good Afternoon ladies & Gentlemen - my name is Gilly Gilchrist and on behalf of the family it is an honour and a privilege to be stood here talking about Bob's life. I would like to thank all of you for coming today to pay your respects and say goodbye to Robert James Mullen, aka BTC, Bacardi Bob, Roberto El Conyo etc..

Legend is an often over used phrase in today's world but judging by the outpouring of love and condolence messages, mainly on Social Media, plus the huge number of shipmates, family and friends here today I can say with certainty that Bob was a unique legend, one in a million person, someone who you could never not like, his infectious smile, laughter and bad jokes were legendary. Bob was a Sailors Sailor a SEADAD to many from an era that has passed us by now, and his dit spinning over copious amounts of large Bacardi and Coke in the Park Tavern and Roby's is legendary. Bob certainly lived his life the Max and in typical Bob fashion he recorded his educational qualifications as 'Studied Electromagnetic Radiation at Southwick University'.

Bob joined the Royal Navy on the 6th May 1975 at HMS Raleigh as a Junior Seaman Operator, aged 16. Subsequently he was selected for RADAR training at HMS DRYAD; an establishment which he was to serve at many times as a trainee, or instructor over his 24 years' service in the Royal Navy. Bob loved his time at DRYAD in his Jolly Jack style we all became accustomed to with his frequent runs ashore in Southwick's Red and Golden Lion Pubs and Saturday all day drinking sessions in Pompey's finest pubs, such as Admiralty Tavern, Ruby's, Park Tavern, City Arms, Might Fine and of course Bob was a life honorary member of Joanna's and Beasties.

for naval operations in the Gulf. His final appointment was as Commodore Naval Ship Acceptance, responsible for seeing that shipbuilders delivers new ships according to contract. He retired from the Navy aged 52 in 1994.

However, there is more to add to this obituary as our investigative correspondent will explain.

Whilst the badly damaged Southampton was being transported back to Pompey aboard a semi-submersible heavy lift ship, Captain Taylor aka Captain Cordite decided to visit the undamaged ships of his squadron. His visit to the Mighty Manch took place whilst the ship was carrying out a CASEX off the coast of Scotland. Invited into the CPO's Mess for a pre supper beer, it wasn't long before the subject of Southampton's collision came to the fore, to which Captain Taylor was very relaxed and commented on the lines that consideration should be given to the number of nautical miles steamed by Pusser (UK) Ships each year and therefore not unreasonable that occasionally we might bump into things!! (some bump!!). Very shortly afterwards and as part of the ongoing exercise, a marine sound signal went off very noisily close to the ship's side, much to our guest's discomfort!! Step forward, the Mess President, Connie Francis, who ignoring protocol put his arm around the somewhat concerned Captain and said, "It's ok, Sir, you're on the Manchester now"!!