During my service with 22 SAS I served in Dhofar during the War and then later on went onto work with SSF on anti-terrorist duties. Since then it has been y ambition to create a lasting memorial to Allied Special Forces and this came to fruition in 2003 when our association took over a 3 acre plot of land at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. My profile picture shows part of the empty space that we accepted from David Childs the NMA Founder.

As time went on and we developed the site from really a field to the extensive gardens that we have now over 20 years later, we also established the very first memorial to the Battle of Mirbat on the 19th July 2009 and many more.

We were fortunate in that once the Mirbat Memorial was completed we received a very generous donation from the Office of the Sultanate of Oman which allowed us to build the Sun Room.

Whilst I can continue with this introduction the best way to see just what we have been up to in 20 years or so is to visit our new website https://alliedspecialforcesmemorialgrove.org where much, much more can be viewed.

In all of this we must thank SAF for all their kind support for many years and that this support is ongoing in 2023.

Regards,

Mike Colton

ex 22 SAS and SSF.