Wayne Tattersall was born in Nelson on January 02, 1944. He is much loved and will always be remembered by all his friends and family. For me Wayne (aka black tat) was much more than just a friend, he was always there when I needed him and never once complained about the cards dealt to him in life. Knowing him has been an honour I will forever cherish for as long as I live. I first met Wayne in late 1970 when as a young 19 year old I joined the 1st Royal Tank Regiment. I had been cajoled into signing for the Queens shilling following the footsteps of two childhood friends; who I shall forever hold responsible for those lost years of my life. Like all Nigs as new recruits were known, after my basic training I was sent to join the regiment, which at that time was based in Osnabruck West Germany as the country was known back then. As I entered through the gates of Infal barracks with my army issue suit case and kit bag, I must have looked shocked and lost, but there in the guard house was 2IC (2nd in charge) Lance Corporal Tattersall. I guess he took a shine to me because from that day on he took me under his wing and guided me through the first year of what I call my sentence. I was posted into HQ squadron and placed in the MT (motor transport) troop and given a written test in German (a language unknown to me) for which I was actually given the answers so I couldn't fail it and given a Bedford 3 tonne truck to drive. After about a month Wayne had me moved and I started to drive officers to and from their homes or their work place. As time went on I was finally put on driving around officers of the rank of Colonel something unusual because normally only NCO's were allowed to drive officers of that rank. Wayne also had me put on the duty rosta as stand by driver which I shared with another trooper from my barracks. He did this because on my first guard duty I fell asleep and had it not been for him I would have spent some time in the guard house as an inmate. He always seemed to be there watching over and protecting me from myself, in 1971 Wayne came to the end of his enlistment and through his wonderful interference and manipulation, he set it up through the squadron office clerk, another Tattersall and another close and dear friend to Wayne and myself to see that I remained in my position until the day I left the Regiment. I am sure that Her Majesty's Royal Tank Regiment must have been relieved that day. But I never lost contact with Wayne and we kept in touch for the next 39 years or so one way or another. There was a brief time that we lost contact for a couple of years , but I am thankful to God that we found each other and rekindled our friendship together. There were four of us myself,Bernard and Pam, Wayne, Mark and Ann who passed away five days after Wayne and Michelle my little flower, I suppose that makes us seven really. But the bonds of our friendship have transcended through the years and they have grown as strong as the oak. The love and loyalty we have for each other can never die nor be broken, it can never wilt nor will it wain and it will never ever be forgotten, we salute you forevermore Wayne Tattersall. Whilst I may not have had the makings of a soldier I know you regretted leaving your beloved Regiment behind and so for you we leave this loving tribute to a wonderful man in the hope it remains forever for all to see and admire. To those that visit this memorial and who know you I hope they too leave a memory or two behind about the man we know as Lcpl/blacttat. We have added three of Waynes favourite country artists and songs please enjoy listening to them while your here. God bless and watch over you always dear friend