Raiders

Scroll down for The Dieppe Raid Memorial, Army Film & Photographic Unit, Gabrielle Petit, Moussey Memorial, Uncle Bob Lutz, Derek Marchant, Popski’s Private Army and the Breakaway Tree Seat Project.

Raids, Raiders, Resistance and some others…..

The Dieppe Raid Memorial.

“Operation Jubilee” memorial was originally established in 2007 and now in 2023 has undergone an upgrade with new educational plaques. We have now concentrated on the bravery and successful parts of the Raid. Three of these memorials list the medals that the Allied Military Forces were awarded, except however Jack Nissenthall was not awarded any decoration for his brave actions.

The Dieppe Raid VC’s

This is the very first educational plaque that shares the bravery of these three soldiers and all who fought at Dieppe. – Captain John Foote VC – Lt. Col. Charles Merritt VC – Captain Patrick Porteous
  • Memorial Text
  • The Dieppe Raid VC’s
  • The Victoria Cross was instituted by Royal Warrant on the 29th January 1856 to acknowledge the bravery displayed by many soldiers and sailors during the Crimean War (1854-56).
  • This new award was open to all ranks and would be presented for acts of supreme gallantry in the face of the enemy.
  • Victoria Cross Award Citation Extracts
  • Captain Foote – Canadian Chaplain Services
  • Personally saved many lives by his efforts and his example inspired all around him. Those who observed him state that the calmness of this heroic officer, as he walked about, collecting the wounded on the fire swept beach will never be forgotten.
  • Lt. Col. Merritt – South Saskatchewan Regiment
  • From the point of landing his units advance had to be made across a bridge in Pourville which was being swept with machine-gun, mortar and artillery fire……..waving his helmet he rushed forward shouting “Come on over! There’s nothing to worry about here.”
  • Captain Porteous – Royal Regiment of Artillery
  • Without hesitation and in the face of withering fire, dashed across the open ground to take command to this detachment. Rallying them he then led the in a charge which carried the German position at the point of the bayonet and was severely wounded for the second time.
  • Further Information
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Weir_Foote
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Merritt
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Anthony_Porteous

Shimi, the Lord Lovat

  • Memorial Text
  • Shimi, the Lord Lovat
  • Lt. Col. Simon Fraser DSO MC – Commanding Officer No. 4 Commando. The Dieppe Raid 18/19th August 1942.
  • At the outset of World War 2 Lord Lovat was enlisted as a Captain with the Lovat Scouts. The following year he volunteered to join one of the new commando units being formed by the British Army and was eventually attached to No.4 Commando.
  • In March 1941, No.3 and 4 Commando launched a raid on the German occupied Lofoten Islands in Norway. This successful raid successfully destroyed fish oil factories, petrol dumps, and 11 ships as well as seizing encryption equipment and code books. More than 200 German Troops were captured and over 300 Norwegians chose to escape to Britain.
  • In April 1942 he was in command 100 men of No.4 Commando in a raid on the French coastal village of Hardelot. For this action he was awarded the Military Cross (MC).
  • As commanding officer of No.4 Commando during the Dieppe Raid he led the successful attack against the German “Hess” Battery and put the coastal guns out of action before withdrawing with most of his force. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
  • Whilst the Dieppe Raid was an overall failure, the lessons learnt led to the successful D-Day landings in Normandy two years later where the commander of the 1st. Special Service Brigade landed on Sword Beach and advanced to the now famous Pegasus Bridge to reinforce the soldiers of the 2nd. Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry who successfully stormed the bridge after landing by Horsa Glider at just after midnight on the 6th. June 1944.
  • Further Information
  • Simon Fraser Audio
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Fraser,_15th_Lord_Lovat
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovat_Scouts
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Claymore
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Abercrombie
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Special_Service_Brigade

The Romuald Rescue

  • Memorial Text
  • Captain Romuald Nalecz-Tyminski DSC
  • Commander of the Polish Navy Warship ORP SLAZAK.
  • The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is “awarded in recognition of an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against en enemy at sea”.
  • Polish Hero saved 85 Canadians at Dieppe. “…..with guns blazing, he led rescue with his destroyer ORP SLAZAK….”
  • A skilled and accomplished seaman, Nalecz-Tyminski worked his way up the ranks during his life on the seas, commanding numerous warships on dramatic danger-filled missions. “Nobody did more than he did to get the Canadians out”, said Joe Ryan, a veteran of the Royal Regiment of Canada who fought at Dieppe, France.
  • Ryan said he can still remember watching the destroyer heading straight towards the beach firing all of its guns at the enemy, before turning abruptly, churning up mud and rocks from beneath the water and rescuing the Canadians as they evacuated the landing beaches as the raid had failed to achieve its objectives.
  • For his role in the rescue Nalecz-Tyminski was awarded Britain’s Distinguished Service Cross.
  • Further Information
  • https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romuald_Na%C5%82%C4%99cz-Tymi%C5%84ski
  • http://www.federacjapolek.ca/nowy/image/2009_images/polish_spirit_persons/nalecz-tyminski.pdf
  • https://jemesouviens.org/en/polish-forces-dieppe/
  • https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=42176

Jack’s Radar War

  • Memorial Text
  • Flight Sergeant Jack Nissenthall – RAF Radar Expert
  • Jack Nissenthall was a Royal Air Force electronics and radar expert who played a role in the Dieppe Raid during “Operation Jubilee”, which took place on the 18th & 19th August 1942.
  • Whilst the raid failed, Jack along with his bodyguard of Canadian soldiers from the South Saskatchewan Regiment managed to fight their way to the German Radar station under heavy fire where he cut the connecting inter-radar communication cables and this forced the Germans to use radio.
  • This was intercepted by UK listening stations revealing the radio’s secret capabilities. This enabled UK scientists to develop top secret radar jamming devices, which saved thousands of lives during the rest of the war, and especially on D-Day the 6th June 1944.

Box Hedging completes the memorial garden.

Further Information

The Army Film and Photographic Unit

www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/279264
Created at Pinewood Studios the AFPU raised its numbers from photographers with previous service in the military. They went into battle with just a camera!
This very young Horse Chestnut Tree is growing well behind the AFPU memorial 19th April 2023.
A few weeks later on 28th April 2023.

Gabrielle Petit – British Secret Intelligence Service 1914-16.

Gabrielle Petit was a Belgian national who worked for the British Secret Intelligence Service until she was betrayed and executed on April 1st 1916. An Amelanchia Canadensis tree was planted in her honour. Dedicated on 1st April 2016. 100 years on!
The Poperinge Rose from Talbot House at the Gabrielle Petit Memorial – 22nd June 2023
  • Memorial Text
  • Gabrielle Alina Eugenia Maria Petit – Age 23
  • British Secret Intelligence Service – Belgian Citizen
  • When Belgian was invaded during August 1914 Gabrielle joined the Belgian Red Cross and then helped her fiance cross the Dutch border after he was wounded and captured, but he managed to escape. On the way she noted enemy positions and passed this and other information to British Intelligence.
  • This led to her being recruited by the Secret Intelligence Service and subsequently helped many more soldiers escape whilst distributing the clandestine newspaper La Libra Belgique and helped the resistance mail service called “Mot du Soldat”.
  • In February 1916 she was betrayed, arrested by the German Military and sent to Prison St. Gilles near Brussels. She was convicted of espionage and the death sentence passed in March.
  • On 1st April 1916, Gabrielle was shot by a firing squad in Schaerbeck and her body buried in a field there. In May 1919 a state funeral was held for her and two fellow agents. They were buried with full military honours in Schaerbeck cemetery.
  • This remarkable resister gave her life for her country to help the Allied cause and free her people from enslavement and tyranny.
  • Amelanchier Canadensis Tree – Garden 3 – Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove.
  • Not forgotten 1st April 2016 – Belgian Red Cross WW1.

Further Information

The Moussey Memorial

Note: – This memorial is about to undergo a complete refurbishment (15th March 2024).

Moussey is a small village in the Vosges Mountains of Eastern France but is very close to the German Border on the route to Strasbourg. The village was first invaded in the WW1, the men were put to forced labour and the women to work in the forests of the Rabodeau Valley. Even the Bells from Moussey Church were stolen! Again during WW2 they were occupied and once again they were the victims of war as acts of murder, torture and deportation were enacted upon the villages population. This memorial was dedicated in 2013.

Set amongst pine trees brought from Moussey in France is a seat in the shape of the Cross of Lorraine, which became the symbol of Resistance in France during WW2. It is simply made from timber and represents the main industry around the village. It is surrounded by Rosemary which came from the original Phantom Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum.
www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/279095
My association with Moussey came after bringing back the Coral Granite that now rests in the Phantom Memorial Garden at the NMA since 2003.

The trees in the Moussey memorial garden are a mix of Balsam Fir – Silver Fir and Norway Spruce and were all gifted to the Grove after growing beside a Forest Guards cottage in the Vosges Mountains of eastern France.

In additional many years ago I found a Baby Scots pine that had self seeded in the Phantom Memorial Garden beside the Aspects Centre in the NMA.

Operation Loyton by Philippe Get

The most complete historical records of “Operation Loyton” are now available in French and English direct from the Author Philippe Get.
E-mail Philippe direct in France 213get@gmail.com

The Jo Marchant Memorials.

Flying Officer Robert William Walker-Lutz -“Uncle Bob”

www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/279097
‘Uncle Bob’ was a Typhoon Pilot during “Operation Market Garden” The Battle for Arnhem. He served with 247 Squadron (China British) RAF and was Killed in Action on the 21st September 1944 aged 23 years. He is buried in Heidehof Cemetery, Ugchelen, Holland.
Uncle Bob’s Tree is a Prunus serrulata “Royal Burgandy”

Derek Marchant – “Come, sit and tell me all about it”

The Derek Marchant memorial seat sits on the “higher” ground. The shape and colour has earned it the nickname “Hotlips”.
The memorial plaque and seat that I made for Jo Marchant an NMA Volunteer in memory of her husband Derek. Somewhere to sit and reflect that its not all war that this Grove is about.

Popski’s Private Army

No. 1 Demolition Squadron

The Popski’s Private Army Memorial came about after a chance meeting with Captain John Campbell at the Violette Szabo GC museum. From then on the garden design was created in the shape of an Astrolabe, which was the PPA cap badge. Variegated Laurel was used to complete the hedging. This represents the sandy desert of North Africa and lush greenery of Italy and Austria where they operated. The two Italian cypress trees signify what was an easily recognised location on the Italian coast that they used to infiltrate German lines.
The PPA memorial with the refurbished plaques fitted in July 2023.

The refurbished PPA plaques.

This memorial was unveiled by Sir Robert Crawford CBE on Sunday 30 March 2008. In the presence of veterans, relatives and friends whose generous donations made it possible.
Popski’s Private Army Roll of Honour
  • Memorial Text
  • Popski’s Private Army
  • No.1 Demolition Squadron
  • Roll of Honour
  • Corporal John Ewen Cameron of Rannock Station. Lovat Scouts, 2 Commando & ‘Blitz’ Patrol PPA – 2 March 1910 to 21 June 1944, age 34.
  • Trooper Thomas John Croghan of Chester. 3rd Hussars, ‘R’ Patrol PPA – 18 April 1921 to 10 November 1944, age 23.
  • Sergeant Charles Herbert Curtis of Oxford. Corps of Royal Engineers, ‘Blitz’ Patrol PPA – 8 October 1919 to 9 September 1944, age 24.
  • Driver William Syvester Gaskell of Wigan. Royal Army Service Corps, ‘HQ’ PPA – 17 April 1916 to 10 September 1943, age 26.
  • Private John Hunter of Glasgow, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Special Air Service, ‘B’ Patrol PPA – 11 November 1920 to 21 January 1944, age 23.
  • Sapper Richard MacDowall of Edinburgh, Corps of Royal Engineers, ‘B’ Patrol PPA – 9th December 1920 to 23 April 1945, age 24.
  • Lieutenant Duncan Baxter MacGillivray of Paddington. Ist Derbyshire Yeomanry, HQ PPA – 31 July 1923 to 21 April 1945, age 32.
  • Lieutenant Ian Wallace McCallam of Buenos Aires. 27th Lancers, ‘B’ Patrol PPA -26 January 1927 to 27 April 1945, age 21.
  • Sergeant David Porter DCM of Saint Helen’s. Corps of Royal Engineers, Special Air Service, ‘R’ Patrol PPA – 26 December 1922 to 15 November 1944, age 21.
  • Trooper Arthur Rogers of Cheshunt. 56th Regiment Reconnaissance Corps, ‘B’ Patrol PPA – 2 January 1921 to 29 April 1945, age 24.
  • Corporal James Snape of Chertsey. 50th Royal Tank Regiment, ‘Blitz’ Patrol PPA – 19 June 1910 to 23 May 1945, age 34.
  • Private Albert White of Hockley. Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, ‘S’ Patrol PPA – 2 February 1914 to 10 May 1945, age 31.
  • 1942 – LIBYA – TUNISIA – ITALY – AUSTRIA – 1945
PPA Honours and Awards
  • Memorial Text
  • Honours and Awards
  • DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
  • Peniakoff, Major V – General List
  • DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
  • Porter, Sgt. D – Corps of Royal Engineers – ‘R’
  • Cadell, Lt. M – (with A&SH) – Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders – ‘B’
  • Campbell, Capt. J – (and Bar) – Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders ‘S’
  • Caneri, Capt. J – General List & HQ PPA
  • Peniakoff, Major V – General List
  • Yunnie, Capt. R – Black Watch ‘B’
  • MILITARY MEDAL
  • Beautyman, Sgt. J – Royal Corps of Signals ‘Blitz’
  • Burrows, Pte. C – Royal Army Service Corps ‘Blitz’
  • Cahill, L/Cpl. A – Royal Army Service Corps ‘S’
  • Galloway, Sgt. D – (and Bar) – Royal Army Service Corps ‘B’
  • Higgins, Dvr. J – (with RASC) – Royal Army Service Corps ‘Blitz’
  • O’Leary, Sgt. W – Parachute Regiment ‘S’
  • Riches, Sgt. F – 1st Dragoon Guards ‘B’
  • Sanders, Sgt. E – (with LRDG) – 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force ‘R’
  • Waterson, SSM. G – 1st Dragoon Guards ‘Blitz’
  • MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
  • Cahill, L/Cpl. A – Royal Army Service Corps ‘S’
  • Cawthorn, Sapper A – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • Dobinson, Cpl. J – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • Foweraker, Spr. L – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • Freeman, Spr. J – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • Hodgson, Cpl. D – Royal Artillery ‘S’
  • Kineally, Sgt. J – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • North, Cpl. R – Royal Irish Fusiliers ‘R’
  • Owen, Cpl. B – Royal Army Service Corps ‘B’
  • Parr, Spr. K – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • Petrie, Spr. A – Corps of Royal Engineers – ‘Original’
  • Sonley, L/Cpl. G – 16th/5th Queens Royal Lancers ‘B’
  • Taylor, Sgt. S – The Queens Bays, 2nd Dragoon Guards ‘R’
  • Thomas, Lt. B – Corps of Royal Engineers – Popskis Private Navy
  • LIST ENDS
PPA – 27th Lancers and Porterforce
  • Memorial Text
  • 27th Lancers & Porterforce
  • In memory of Lt. Col. Andrew Horsbrugh-Porter DSO & Bar,
  • and the men of 27th Lancers and the 54 officers and men who fell during the war
  • Porterforce October – December 1944
  • HQ Porterforce
  • 27th Lancers
  • Royal Canadian Dragoons
  • Kings Dragoon Guards
  • 145 RAC
  • GGHQ
  • 1 Royal Horse Artillery
  • 1 & 2 Canadian Field Regiment, RCA
  • 2 & 5 Canadian Medium Regiment, RCA
  • 12 & 13 Canadian Field Company
  • 24 Field Regiment RA
  • 49 Anti-tank Battery RA
  • 151 Anti-tank Battery, 93 Anti-tank Regiment RA
  • 310 Anti-tank Battery, 60 Anti-tank Regiment RA
  • 32 Platoon, RCASC
  • 747 Bridge Company RASC
  • 1800 Bailey Bridge Platoon
  • 1820 Folding Boat Equipment Platoon RCASC
  • 168 London Infantry Brigade Signals Section
  • 1/3 Essex Regiment
  • 2721 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • Royal Westminster Regiment
  • 4 & 7 Canadian Light Field Ambulance
  • 1, 2 & 5 Canadian Medium Regiment Platoon RCASC
  • 5 Army Jeep Platoon
  • 81 Canadian Artillery Company RCASC
  • 1501 Artillery Platoon
  • 3 Canadian Provost Company
  • Popski’s Private Army
  • LIST ENDS
28th Garibaldi Brigade
  • Memorial Text
  • 28th Garibaldi Brigade
  • To the Eternal Memory of ARRIGO BOLDRINI (BULOW)
  • Gold Medal for Military Valour
  • and the partisans of 28th Garibaldi Brigade under his command in Porterforce, British Eighth Army during the 1944 campaign for the liberation of the city of Ravenna
  • and with Eternal Gratitude to the 604 heroes who fell in the achievement of victory.
The PPA history plaques at the start of the memorial garden.

Further Information

The Breakaway Survival Tree Seat Project 2005

The Breakaway Tree Seat Project 2005. Mick Tyler ex SAS and 29 Commando along with his Breakaway Survival School Club were good enough to sponsor the carving and transportation of 5 large pieces of Sequoia, an American Redwood from Letton Court Farm in Herefordshire to the Grove. The Teak project plaque with the stags head was carved by Vic Smith ex SAS from a piece of laboratory bench!
The Breakaway Survival Seat. This piece of Sequoia weighed in at 4 tonnes!
The Vince Phillips Bravo Two Zero Seat.
This Sequoia was felled after standing at Letton Court Farm for over 160 years after being brought back from America as a sapling.
The Dr John McCrae Tree Seat was the first piece of Sequoia that Mike and Annette carved. It is situated at the start of the Grove.
Which side would point towards North? Count the rings? Situated in the Friends garden is a chunk of Sequoia that had to be cut off the Breakaway Survival Seat! Count the rings!

Page updated 15th April 2024

“Operation Loyton 1944”

The complete historical records of “Operation Loyton” are now available in French and English direct from the Author Philippe Get.
E-mail Philippe direct in France 213get@gmail.com

Global Ria Fireman.

We have the best vital, essential universal and lightweight tool that every Firefighter should have and all Police and Security vehicles should carry.

The Ultimate Tool is now available to Fire & Rescue, Police, Ambulance and Military Services.

Contact Tony at https://ria-rescue.com

A place for Remembrance, Commemoration, Education and Quiet Contemplation in Harmony with Nature. 2003-2023. This Grove has been created since 20th March 2003 by Mike Colton. The Grove is funded independently of the National Memorial Arboretum and all gardening and maintenance work is carried out by unpaid volunteers. If you would like to donate please contact Mike Colton on 07929-118598 or by e-mail: – mikecolton@hotmail.com. Alternatively we accept kind donations via our Go Fund Me site: – https://gofund.me/56dccf6d. All help is welcome. Regards, Mike Colton, Founder Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove 2003.