What, you may ask, was a Welshman doing in a very English Battalion?

It is a long story, which few of his comrades know.

He was brought up by his mother. A tough Cardiff boy.

He enlisted in the REME as an Apprentice Air Technician. Clearly, he was above the educational baseline demanded by the Infantry like what I was!

His initial training did not go according to plan, and he was sent on a six-month course at the MCTC.

During a successful completion of the course Taff realised, that the Infantry offered him a greater opportunity, to utilise his natural ability, than the REME.

It was suggested to him that the Poachers, who were in Osnabruck, and scheduled to move to Cyprus might be what he was looking for, as he wanted a posting somewhere warm, he chose the Poachers.

And so it was that a Cardiff boy ended up in an East Anglian Battalion, that had quite a few Irishmen and “Corby” Jocks, but until then no Welshmen.

Taff’s soldiering expertise led him to a platoon commanded by Ray Hazan, and fellow section commanders Nigel Whitfield and Dave Whitehead. It is worth noting that all three attained the rank of Major before retiring. Clearly Ray Hazan was a leader of unquestionable ability and foresight!

It is also worth recording that the OC at the time was Bill Poole, the CSM “Dog End” Dixon and the CQMS Ron “Busty” Leatherland.

It was during this time that infantry assault tactics changed. The fairly risky practice of infantry assaulted in line, bayonets fixed, following an assumed “Successful” Arty/mortar bombardment, with the occasional shouted order “Bullets”, was confined to history. It was replaced by “Pepperpotting” then “Leapfrogging” and finally “Fire and manoeuvre”. In our platoon he was first to create permutations in order that the enemy could not predict who would be firing and who would be moving. Whereas most would accept the tactical doctrine prescribed, his innate ability made him question and assess the advantages and disadvantages applied to all scenarios.

Whilst serving at the Depot as a Corporal he was “Poached” by the CO of the 1st Battalion. As it turned out it was a good move.

In the Vikings he rose to the rank of WO2 before being posted to the TA as RSM.

On commissioning he re-joined the Poachers, which, after all, had honed his infantry skills. His first appointment was Training Officer, then MTO, then Families Officer. His final appointment was as OC HQ Coy.

Those close to him often wondered how someone, who had never applied for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, could sit in judgement of erring soldiers under his command! Having said that he was always fair, and it is due perhaps to the fact that he never forgot the early days when he was learning to be a battle-winner.

Taff left the Battalion to take a post as OC Cadet Training Team in Norfolk. His final service days were spent as Schools Liaison Officer.

I remember him as a talented Infantryman, generous, a formidable backgammon player, who did the Telegraph crossword in under an hour and who swam the 8 miles from Dhekelia to Larnaca for charity. We were great friends, and I am immensely proud to have known him.

He was an example of someone from a tough background, who achieve greatness, in an army that recognised ability.

Those who new Taff will agree that he was a unique character, who served the Regiment and the Army well. It is extremely unlikely that we will ever see a Welshman of his ability in the Regiment again!