An exhibition highlighting the fascinating life of St Georgian marine artist, charter fisherman and Bermudian war veteran Roy Taylor and his original paintings of Bermuda Reef Fish and Corals has opened at Town Hall in St George’s.

The Corporation of St George and the St George’s Foundation unveiled the exhibit featuring the Bank of Bermuda Foundation’s Collection of Captain Roy Taylor paintings at the launch ceremony on Tuesday with a special introduction by St George’s Mayor Quinell Francis.

Ms Francis said: “Today we are here to unveil an exhibition of paintings of Bermuda Reef Fish and Corals by Mr Roy Taylor, a talented St Georgian and an artist we would like to feature more in the future.”

Mr Taylor, who died in 1977, grew up at “Lemon Grove” on Queen Street. His love of the sea was passed on to him from his grandfather pilot captain Fred Virtue. Ms Francis added: “He had a long career as a charter fisherman but to categorise him as that would be a disservice to a man who led an interesting life. The paintings that we are unveiling were inspired during his time working at the Bermuda Aquarium and diving at Nonsuch Island.”

Mr Taylor served in the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps and the No 1 Special Force of the Lincolnshire Regiment during the Second World War. He served in varying capacities during the war, skiing the alps as a courier, manning one-man submarines to set mines on German boats and serving in missions throughout Europe and in Borneo and Australia. He also represented Bermuda at the British Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games, in 1930 and 1934 in swimming, diving and water polo. He was also an avid snooker and billiards player and helped for many years to run Taylor’s, his family’s store on Water Street, St. George’s.

In closing, Ms Francis said: “I would like to thank those who are in attendance for the unveiling of these paintings and will encourage all to come back and visit the World Heritage Site of the Town of St George and its fortifications.”

She thanked Bank of Bermuda Foundation for allowing the paintings to be displayed as well as the volunteer co-curators of the exhibit Roy Taylor’s niece Sandra Taylor Rouja and Dr Charlotte Andrews, chair of the World Heritage Site Management Committee, as well as graphic designer Liz Martin. Additional thanks went to The Taylor Family and other exhibit contributors including Louis Mowbray Jr, Andrew Bermingham, Nancy Hooper and Meredith Andrews Photography.

St George’s Town Hall and the art and heritage exhibit about Captain Roy Taylor is open daily in King’s Square from 8.30am to 4pm. Admission is free.