THE ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION - is dedicated to creating the ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL GROVE at the NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM which will commemorate the men and women who sadly lost their lives whilst serving with ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES during World War 2 and in the Conflicts since.

THE ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL GROVE IS SITUATED WITHIN THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM BY THE BANKS OF THE RIVER TAME

FUND RAISING AND HAVING FUN!

We are very pleased to have so many friends and supporters who know how to have fun whilst raising funds to help create the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

We are pleased to show some these below in order to encourage others to assist as well. If you might like to participate in fund raising then please contact us and we will be able to assist you.

Essential to the creation of the Grove, we are fortunate to have had many items donated and they have been included in this presentation. Ride on lawn mowers, work gloves, strimmers, tools, trees, plants and shrubs.
Even an ISO 20 foot steel container to store our equipment!

MICK TYLER AND SAM FAWCETT - OUT FRONT WITH BREAKAWAY SURVIVAL

Breakaway Survival School Contribution

Breakaway Survival School members under the leadership of Mick Tyler and the tireless Sam Fawcett have been a mainstay of help, assistance, support and encouragement since the association first started in January 1999.

Add in a couple of hundred members of the Breakaway Survival Club to the famous range stew that Mick stirs up and we have a winning combination.

Pictured beside a giant Sequoia Tree Seat at Letton Court Farm, Letton Herefordshire, where the Tree was felled some 15 years ago.

Climbing the "Ben".

On Sunday 2nd. May 2004, 25 men and women set off at first light to reach the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Great Britain.

It was a fantastic hike and everyone agreed what a great day out it was.

The event was organised by Matt Johnston of Action Building Supplies.

"I thought that Ben Nevis would be a good day out!"

Then I thought that several club members would probably like to go too and if there were a few of us, then why not try and raise a few quid while we were at it.

RICHARD STIMPSON WALKING BACKWARDS TO LICHFIELD

Return to the Land

"My name is Simon King and I want to take this opportunity to tell you about a journey of 875 miles which I undertook by horse-drawn cart.

Prior to this we did a training run of 310 miles from Crawley to Land End!

We mainly followed the old trade routes, drovers' tracks and long forgotten by-ways, we (Poppy the horse, Pru my dog and myself) made our way up the length of the country from Lands End to John O'Groats.

In the process of completing this epic journey we managed to raise funds for Riding for the Disabled as well as the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove. Both worthy causes."

VIC SMITH HANDING OVER THE RELIEF MODEL OF THE DIEPPE RAID LANDINGS

Dieppe Raid Memorial Garden

Carved by Vic Smith this splendid relief model shows the ground that the Allied Forces had to fight over during one of the first large scale raids against the Nazi Regime in occupied France.

The raid on Dieppe eventually ended in failure and resulted in most of the attacking forces being killed, captured or injured.

We also thank Vic for arranging for the 4 stainless steel frames to be handmade by a colleague. These frames will hold plaques which commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Deippe Raid on August 18/19th. 1942.

The plaques costing over Ł1100.00p have been purchased by kind donations from Friends of the Memorial Grove.

Beside the plaques we have an "October Glory" Maple Tree in the centre of the Memorial Garden, which is surrounded by over 100 Heathers representing the plaid of the Canadian Scottish Regiments who took part.

Our next aim is to surround the garden with carved stone, which will give a more permanent feel to the whole area.

Racing Sponsorship

Here's Richard Marshall racing around the track and helping with sponsorship for the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove.

Richard was good enough to have his car livery painted with our association logo, and has actively promoted others to help with sponsorship monies, displays and generally spread the good word about our project.

Well done Richard!

Write a Book

Scarf Jones Treasurer of the Allied Special Forces Association kindly compiled his own and many other "Recollections from Jungle Soldiers".

This seventy page book has been very successful in raising funds for the Memorial Grove. To date over 1000 copies have been sold. Published in 2002 by our association this popular book is still selling steadily.

Extract from Pete Scholey ex. 22 SAS - Author of "The Joker".

"One encounter took place on a later operation, when the patrol was being winched out of the jungle. I was coming up through the canopy, when a problem developed with the winch, and the crewman indicated that I should unhook myself and step onto a large branch about 200 feet above the ground whilst it was fixed. As I was sitting there, I noticed a large irate looking Orang-utan staring at me, and as I watched he became more and more agitated, obviously upset that some SAS trooper had invaded his personal living space.
After a few minutes of hard staring this hugh ape suddenly came straight at me......."

Buy the book and finish the story!
Use our Contact Us page if you would like to purchase a signed copy.

James Drummond and the North London Barmy Army

Here's James Drummond efforts to raise funds along with Matt Johnston and Richard Marshall along with the North London Barmy Army

Early on the morning of Saturday 13th. March 2004 a convoy of military vehicles took over the Broadway which is a part of Darkes Lane, Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. Dazed onlookers were agasp in awe at this spectacle which is more likely to be seen in Iraq and other war torn areas of the Globe. The North London Barmy Army had invaded, just for the day mind.

They were made most welcome, even by the traffic wardens! Well done to everyone for raising over Ł400.00p on the day.

MATT JOHNSTON OF ACTION BUILDING SUPPLIES GAVE US A TRUCK

A Flatbed Truck

Matt Johnstons help was invaluable and saved a lot of money as we transported five Giant Sequoia Tree Seats from Hereford to the Grove.

On board the truck is the largest tree seat weighing in at nearly 4 tonnes.

This is now designated as the Breakaway Survival Club Seat and it along with the other 4 were sponsored by Breakaway Survival Club.

Eventually commemorative plaques will be added to the seat in memory of Breakaway members who have since died.

Hand Carved Plaque

Vic Smith hand carved a teak plaque to be fitted onto the Breakaway Tree Seat.

The plaque depicts the Breakaway Logo and a map of the Grove all carved into the wood.

This fine work by Vic was completed in time for Armistice Day in November 2005.

This Tree Seat is situated on the left hand side of the Grove as you go past the Dieppe Raid Memorial Garden. It looks out onto the northwest lake from one side and towards the Commando Forces Copse from the other, although you can sit all over it if you wish.

Plaque and Tree Seat

Jackie Johnston was good enough to provide over Ł600.00p which paid for the commemorative plaque to Vince Phillips who sadly lost his life during Operation "Bravo Two Zero" in the first Iraq war.

This plaque is fitted to one of the five tree seats and the seat is dedicated to Vince.

The tree seat is located to the right of the Soldiers of 22 SAS Memorial Garden which is situated just past the centre of the Grove on the left hand side overlooking the North East lake.

We thank everyone for acknowledging this tribute to Vince by placing crosses on the seat.

Forge Five Knives

Chris and Albert Lewis forged a set of five knives which were part of a special raffle run by Sam Fawcett and Mick Tyler.

This unique raffle prize was drawn only after Sam had sold 1000 tickets at Ł1.00p each.

Tickets were only sold to responsible people who had attended Breakaway Survival School and members of the Breakaway Survival Club.

This magnificant set of knives would be a great asset in any survival situation and were forged from steel, set in Moroccan leather sheaves and a mahogany display box.

Take Part in a Military Tattoo

On Saturday the 17th. July 2004 two performances of the Manchester Military Tattoo were held in the Manchester Evening News Arena.

The Allied Special Forces Association, Breakaway Survival Club and Team Dynamics took part in an effort to assist Frank Willcock MBE, and the shows volunteer staff to help raise funds for the Manchester Youth Field Gun Teams. These Field Gun Teams help youngsters have a purpose in life, get them off the streets of Manchester and its suburbs and away from a possible life of street crime and drugs.

The Allied Special Forces Association had been involved with the Tattoo since July 2003 when Frank first asked us to assist as the theme was to be "Behind the Lines". Almost a year later and after a great amount of input to get the historical content correct, the show went ahead and as it was our first attempt at a performance in front of 8000 people we feel that our efforts helped make the show a success.

Certainly the standing ovation for the Light Division Band at the end of the evening performance brought a sense of pride in our having taken part in such a small way, and we thank Frank for allowing us to participate.

Donate Books

Many more books than those shown here have been donated and sold to raise funds. Many thanks to all the authors and publishers who have kept us supplied.

Bear Squadron

In the early days Malcolm and Sandee of Lakeville Limited (Internet Designers) thought it would be a good idea to set up our own Bear Squadron to help raise funds. They were ably assisted by Wendy and Gill, who along with her family supported many of our events, whilst selling Bears to promote our Memorial Grove.

30 Trees and a Ride on Mower

We seriously thank Ian Pritchard for the donation of a Honda Ride on Mower and this allied with a generous donation of 30 trees from James Coles and Sons "Nursery" Ltd. helped shape the Specal Operations and Friends area.

Top