Welcome to our new venture which will introduce visitors to our very first 12 page Medal Trail booklet, which is also being produced in paper form for distribution and copies will be available in the Sun Room for all to view. Below is a slideshow of the 12 pages.
The Front Page of our new Medal Trail Booklet features the Victoria Cross, the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove logo with a lovely background of the River Tame close to the Grove. This background image is used throughout the Booklet.
Page 2 of the Medal Trail Booklet
Image Text of Page 2 of the Medal Trail Booklet
- Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove Medal Trail
- Dear Visitor,
- The Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove has been in existence since 2003. However the concept was first envisaged in January 1999. So this year 2026 will see our original management group in operation for over 25 years now.
- The mission remains the same with the establishment of a place for Remembrance, Commemoration, Education and Quiet Contemplation in Harmony with Nature.
- In November 2023 we received one of the very first Kings Award for Voluntary Service. This is an equivalent of an MBE for our Group.
- The aim of this first Medal Booklet is to help visitors tour the Grove and read the incredible stories of bravery in WW1/2 and in many conflicts since.
- Visitors can also view all the memorials on our extensive website from the comfort of their own homes.
- Thank you for visiting.
- Mike Colton
- Founder of the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove
- 1st January 2026.
Page 3 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~ The Victoria Cross
Page 3 Image Content ~ The Victoria Cross
- The Victoria Cross awarded to Capt. Foote, Lt. Col. Merritt, Capt. Porteous and PO Tommy Gould.
- The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system. It is awarded for valour “in the presence of the enemy” to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously.
Page 4 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~ The George Cross
Page 4 Image Content ~ The George Cross
- The George Cross (GC)
- Awarded to Noor Inyat Khan, Vera Leigh and Violette Szabo.
- Is the highest British award for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the GC, since its introduction in 1940, has been equal in stature to the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour.
Page 5 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~The Military Cross ~ (King George)
Page 5 Image Content ~ The Military Cross
- The Military Cross (MC)
- Awarded to Lt. Col. Airey Neave and Captain Peter Baker
- Awarded for an act of extreme gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land, to captains or officers of lower rank up to warrant officers. (NCOs of other ranks instead received the Military Medal).
Page 6 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~The Military Cross ~ (Queen Elizabeth)
Page 6 Image Content ~ The Military Cross
- The Military Cross (MC)
- Awarded to Major Maurice Budd and Captain John Hamilton
- I granted in recognition of “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against an enemy on land to all members of the British Armed Forces of any rank”.
Page 7 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~The Military Medal
Page 7 Image Content ~ The Military Medal
- The Military Medal (MM)
- Awarded to TSM Henry Bennett
- Was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other arms of the armed forces, and to personnel of other Commonwealth countries below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land.
Page 8 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Page 8 Image Content ~ The Distinguished Service Cross
- The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
- Awarded to Captain Romuald Nalecz-Tyminski
- Is a third-level military decoration awarded for gallantry during active operations against the enemy at to officers; and, since 1993, ratings and other ranks of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the British Merchant Navy have been eligible.
Page 9 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~The Distinguished Service Order
Page 9 Image Content ~ The Distinguished Service Order
- The Distinguished Service Order
- Awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Peniakoff
- Is a military award of the United Kingdom, as well as formerly throughout the Commonwealth, awarded for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations, typically in actual combat.
Page 10 of the Medal Trail Booklet ~The Kings Award for Courage in the Cause of Freedom
Page 10 Image Content ~ The Kings Award for Courage in the Cause of Freedom
- The Kings Award for Courage in the Cause of Freedom
- Awarded to Rene Lequeux, Rose Colmont and Roger Souchal and many others who helped the SAS during “Operation Loyton 1944”
- Is a British Medal instituted on 23 August 1945 to reward those, mainly foreigners, who during the Second World War with the danger of life had contributed to helping British military personnel to escape the enemy and escape from occupied areas or for other dangerous work for the British or Allied Cause during the war.
Page 11 of the Medal Trail Booklet
Page 12 of the Medal Trail Booklet
The “Croix de Guerre”
Page Updated 11th January 2026
alliedspecialforcesmemorialgrove.org 
