Memorial to the victim of a racing accident

Image: © Marathon Taken: 2 Aug 2011

This rather sad grave of a racing car driving into the sunset is to be found in St Sepulchre's Cemetery, Jericho. It is to Francis L C Tayler who was killed on 29th May 1934. The gravestone refers to the fact that he "sacrificed his life in the fulfillment of his duty". Frankie Tayler was a mechanic with the MG Racing Team at Abingdon. He died on the Isle of Man when a passenger in a racing car driven by wealthy society driver Kaye Don. Don was later jailed for manslaughter. Frankie Tayler was 28 and had promised his wife of ten months that he would be giving up the dangerous sport. Phyllis Tayler lived for another 66 years but never forgot her young husband. Her ashes were interred in the same grave in May 2000. Much of the above information is from the informative notice at the entrance to the cemetery.

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