Scarf : Captain P G Taylor, No. 66 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Purple and white striped rayon scarf. The ends of the scarf is finished with a fringe of purple and white tassels.

Associated with the service of Captain Patrick Gordon 'PG' Taylor. Taylor was born in Mosman, Sydney, NSW, on 21 October 1896 and educated at The Armidale School. In late 1914 he enlisted in the AIF and posted to Liverpool Training Camp, where he was appointed a platoon commander. In 1915, in an attempt to increase his chances of seeing active overseas service Taylor requested a direct transfer to the Australian Flying Corps. His request was rejected; however Taylor successfully applied for leave from his unit to travel to England at his own expense, to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). He was commissioned into the RFC on 12 August 1916 and commenced pilot training. He qualified as a pilot in December, having completed 30 hours flying time.

Taylor was then posted to a gunnery school at Hythe to undertake a machine gun course, before being posted to Port Meadow aerodrome on 12 January 1917 for training on Bristol Scouts. 10 days later he was transferred to Tern Hill aerodrome for training on Sopwith Scouts. In February Taylor proceeded overseas to France and was taken on strength by 66 Squadron, RFC. On 26 July 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has taken part in over forty offensive patrols at low altitudes and under heavy fire from the ground. He has always shown exceptional dash and gallantry in attacking large formations of hostile machines, setting a very fine example to all his comrades'. Taylor was later promoted to captain and given command of 'A' flight.

After completing eight months of front line service with 66 Squadron Taylor was transferred back to England. He subsequently served with 88 and 94 Squadrons in a training capacity, before both units were deployed to France. After the war Taylor returned to Australia and went on to have an outstanding career in civil aviation. He was second pilot and navigator in the 'Southern Cross' on Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's 1933 and 1934 flights between Australian and New Zealand and navigator aboard Charles Ulm's 'Faith in Australia' for two flights in 1933 between Australia and England. Taylor was also navigator for the 'Lady Southern Cross' and completed the first Australia to USA flight with Kingsford Smith in 1934.

On 9 July 1937 Taylor was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal for his resourcefulness and courage during the King George V Jubilee airmail flight from Australia to New Zealand in 1935. Six hours into the flight, the starboard engine failed and the aircraft turned back. When the oil pressure dropped on the port engine Taylor saved the flight by climbing out of the fuselage, edging along the engine connecting strut to collect oil from the starboard engine which he then transferred to the port engine. He repeated the process five times and the plane returned safely. During the Second World War, Taylor ferried aircraft from Canada to Britain and flying-boats from the USA to Australia. Publishing numerous books on his flying experiences Taylor was knighted in 1954 and died in Hawaii on 15 December 1966.