Reverend who served in Falklands and first Gulf War has died, aged 70
He began his work as a Presbyterian minister in the Llanberis and Nant Peris area in 1978. In 1982 he was appointed chaplain with the Royal Navy.
The Falklands War started a short time later and he was on board one of the first ships to reach the islands at the start of the fighting, part of the first aid team alongside his role as chaplain.
He was known as a fun, humorous character and nicknamed 'Taff the Laugh' - which helped to build relationships with those serving in the Navy.
But there were also incredibly poignant moments as those on board faced the risks and horrors of war. He said during these services "you could hear a pin drop". He told BBC Radio Cymru's Beti a'i Phobol in 2016: "Some really desire prayer for their families and those they loved in situations where it was not possible to do anything else."
He also worked as a chaplain in the first Gulf War in 1990 before being appointed to the position of Secretary General for all sea chaplaincy. After he retired from the navy after 20 years of service, he went to work as an industrial chaplain on behalf of Cytûn: Churches Together in Wales, covering north-east Wales.
He returned to the Caernarfon area in 2007 - serving in churches in villages like Brynrefail, Llanrug and Bethel.
He also appeared on the BBC Wales programme Snowdonia 1890 - in which two families travelled back in time to live as 1890s smallholders on Yr Wyddfa - where he played the role of a reverend.
In a tribute, a spokesperson for the family told BBC Cymru Fyw: "As a family we are extremely grateful for his love, support and friendship. His contribution to the lives of those who knew him has been invaluable.
"One of his favourite sayings was: 'A man cannot discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shore'."
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North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Reverend who served in Falklands and first Gulf War has died, aged 70
A minister who worked as a chaplain in both the Falklands and Gulf wars has died, aged 70. Reverend Marcus Wyn Robinson from Caernarfon started out as a Presbyterian minister in the Dyffryn Peris area, also returning to same area towards the end of his time with the church. He began his work as a Presbyterian minister in the Llanberis and Nant Peris area in 1978. In 1982 he was appointed chaplain with the Royal Navy. The Falklands War started a short time later and he was on board one of the first ships to reach the islands at the start of the fighting, part of the first aid team alongside his role as chaplain. He was known as a fun, humorous character and nicknamed 'Taff the Laugh' - which helped to build relationships with those serving in the Navy. But there were also incredibly poignant moments as those on board faced the risks and horrors of war. He said during these services "you could hear a pin drop". He told BBC Radio Cymru's Beti a'i Phobol in 2016: "Some really desire prayer for their families and those they loved in situations where it was not possible to do anything else." He also worked as a chaplain in the first Gulf War in 1990 before being appointed to the position of Secretary General for all sea chaplaincy. After he retired from the navy after 20 years of service, he went to work as an industrial chaplain on behalf of Cytûn: Churches Together in Wales, covering north-east Wales. He returned to the Caernarfon area in 2007 - serving in churches in villages like Brynrefail, Llanrug and Bethel. He also appeared on the BBC Wales programme Snowdonia 1890 - in which two families travelled back in time to live as 1890s smallholders on Yr Wyddfa - where he played the role of a reverend. In a tribute, a spokesperson for the family told BBC Cymru Fyw: "As a family we are extremely grateful for his love, support and friendship. His contribution to the lives of those who knew him has been invaluable. "One of his favourite sayings was: 'A man cannot discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shore'."
