On the 8th of April 1927, Joe Ben Taylor was born in a humble home in Dombokoh village, Bonthe Island, Southern Province of the republic of Sierra Leone. His father Tommy Taylor was a carpenter by profession while his mother Musu Taylor, a housewife.
Joe Ben Taylor started his primary education at the Catholic Saint Patrick’s Primary in Bonthe, where he attained standard six educations in 1943. He was later employed as a pupil teacher at the saint Patrick’s School Bonthe.
In 1945, J.B. Taylor as he was commonly known left Bonthe Island for Matru Jong and stayed with his uncle Pa Alphan Conteh after being appointed Headmaster at the Roman Catholic Primary School in Mania Sattia Chiefdom Bonthe District. This was his post, he honorably declined.
J.B. Taylor left Mattru Jong for Bo Town, Kakua Chiefdom in the Bo District in 1948, and was enrolled as a student in the Catholic Training College, Bo (CTC) for the pursuit of the Teacher Certificate.
At CTC, he became Senior Prefect and soccer team captain, and finally graduated with a Teachers Certificate in 1951.
Upon graduation, J.B. Taylor was employed as a teacher at the Roman Catholic Model School Bo, a capacity he served for twelve years running.
In 1958, Joe Ben Taylor, sat to the Private London General Certificate Examination and was qualified for admission to pursue undergraduate studies in Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
In the early 1970’s, J.B. Taylor proceeded to Fourah Bay College and Studied History and Government, and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
After Graduation from Fourah Bay College, He then gained admission as a teacher in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School Bo but later transferred to Christ the King College (CKC) in 1976.
At CKC, J. B Taylor attained the following positions: Senior Teacher, Book Shop Manager and Head of Social Science Department.
In early 2000, Joe Ben Taylor retired from active service, and got himself engaged in the management of the One World Link (OWL) a project developed in the early 1980’s by himself, and the late Messers’ H.M. Sheku, Johannes Mallah, Musa Conteh and Joseph Kobba.
On the 10th of February, 2020 J. B. Taylor ended his life well spent on planet earth. He would always be remembered for his vision, humility, discipline and love.
In the field of academia, J.B. Taylor shall always be remembered for his works: West African Government Made Simple, and West African History Made Simple, and his long term service to humanity in the teaching field.
In the field of development, J.B. Taylor shall always be remembered at home and abroad as an icon for the establishment of the One World Link, a project linking Lamington – Spa in the UK and Bo district, that have benefitted Sierra Leone immensely, and The Bo District Development Association (BODA) an incomplete project he designed together with his former student Late Dr. Ben Sheku Kamara aka Dr. Ogbokoh.
For sports, J. B Taylor will always be remembered as a right- back player for the following teams in the 1960’s and early 1970:
Bonthe District Football Team.
Bo District Football Team
Catholic Training College Football Team and his services as game master R, C. Model Primary School.
At this juncture, with informed consent, I am Pleased to get to the public domain just two comments made about him by OWL executive members in London and sent to his brother Brian Austin as condolence message:
Dear Brian, Such sad news about Joe Taylor. I remember him as such a friendly, gentle soul who devoted to OWL and his role as Centre manager. May his soul rest in Peace.
Mr. John Mair commented as “Dear Brian, I am very sorry about Joe Taylor. Your friendship and what you say about Joe’s integrity, character and commitment epitomize what OWL is all about” Please accept my condolences and please pass our appreciation and condolences to his family. Best wishes, Mair.
May Joe gentle soul rest in perfect peace!!!
©: Northern Times Newspaper.
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