bluefish77
New Member
Situated within the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffs(near Lichfield) is the Grove dedicated to all Allied Special Forces from WW2 onwards. The Grove was started by Mike Colton and over the last ten years he and a small band of helpers have turned rough grassland into an area which has over 350 trees and several memorials. Some of those relate to WW2 such as the Dieppe raids, The 299 Squadron of the RAF, and recent additions include a stone memorial to Popski's Private Army (stone plinth with astrolabe icon on top) and a tree seat with plaques commemorating those who died in the first Gulf War - Vince Phillips, Bob Consiglio, Steve 'Legs' Lane, and David Denbury.
The latest addition was a large plaque donated by Lord Ashcroft to those who died in the battle of Mirbat - Labalaba and Tommy Tobin, with Mike Kealy added in as well (he died later). The Channel Five series Special Forces Heroes, fronted by Lord Ashcroft, shows him standing by the Mirbat plaque in the Grove.
The Grove and the NMA are open free of charge to all visitors and is well worth a visit. The address is
The National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall Road
Alrewas
Staffordshire
DE13 7AR
Tel 01283 792333
Mike Colton and the Allied Special Forces Association can be reached at
PO Box 32
Hereford
HR1 9DF
mike@memorialgrove.org
www.memorialgrove.org
It is planned to add many more memorials and plaques to the Grove over time when funding is available. The Grove is situated at the end of the Arboretum looking towards the railway line, all visitors welcome.
Jackie J
The latest addition was a large plaque donated by Lord Ashcroft to those who died in the battle of Mirbat - Labalaba and Tommy Tobin, with Mike Kealy added in as well (he died later). The Channel Five series Special Forces Heroes, fronted by Lord Ashcroft, shows him standing by the Mirbat plaque in the Grove.
The Grove and the NMA are open free of charge to all visitors and is well worth a visit. The address is
The National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall Road
Alrewas
Staffordshire
DE13 7AR
Tel 01283 792333
Mike Colton and the Allied Special Forces Association can be reached at
PO Box 32
Hereford
HR1 9DF
mike@memorialgrove.org
www.memorialgrove.org
It is planned to add many more memorials and plaques to the Grove over time when funding is available. The Grove is situated at the end of the Arboretum looking towards the railway line, all visitors welcome.
Jackie J