Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Post 1945, Australia, Command Pennants, TAYLOR

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Subcollections

Communications Gallery - Centenary of Royal Australian Corps of Signals

Overview

Framed presentation of Command Pennants flown by Major General Ken Taylor during his service. Those displayed (L-R) are: (to be confirmed)

Historical information

An unlikely alliance between Army General Major-General Ken Taylor and State Premier Sir Charles Court led to the creation of a Pilbara-based regiment to protect Northern Australia. Together, they lobbied for the establishment of the 5th Independent Rifle Company, responsible for patrolling a vast 1.3 million square kilometers of semi-desert terrain up to the Northern Territory border.
Born in Subiaco on 15 June 1929, Ken Taylor excelled academically and athletically at Christian Brothers College in Perth. Initially aspiring to become an atomic physicist, he joined the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1947, drawn by its modest stipend. Graduating in 1950, he served in the Korean War as a rifle platoon commander and later pursued advanced studies in science and technology. His career included postings with the British Army of the Rhine and the Commonwealth’s Far East Land Forces.
Taylor’s leadership spanned several critical roles. In 1980, as Commander of Western Australia's 5th Military District and the 13th Field Force Group, he championed the formation of a regional defensc unit. This culminated in the establishment of the Pilbara Regiment, evolving from the 5th Independent Rifle Company into a full Regional Force Surveillance Unit by 1985. Promoted to Major General, he retired the same year, concluding 38 years of distinguished service.
A passionate sailor and sportsman, Taylor raced yachts in events like the Sydney to Hobart and played hockey into his 60s. His deep connection to the North West was commemorated by the Pilbara Regiment’s Taylor Barracks and a plaque in Todd Bay. He passed away on April 2, 2008, honoured with a military funeral and memorial dedications. His ashes were scattered in the Dampier Archipelago and Swan River, reflecting his enduring love for the region and its people.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-858

Contextual Information

These Pennants are located in the Communications Gallery at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia. The backdrop of the Vickers machinegun display in the Orientation gallery depicting the Kansas Line is a photograph taken by the then Lieutenant Taylor while serving in Korea.

Links to additional resources

Highgate RSL

Korea

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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