Sun Room

The Sun Room 16th May 2025

Scroll down for Jack Hesmondhalgh RAF, Special Forces Signals, Ron McKeon, 22 SAS Falklands, Ruth Tong, Nicholas Brown, Lofty Large, Alex Spence, Hereford Ex-Services Association, Hughes Meier & Stimmy’s Stone.

Sun Room Dedication

The Sun Room honours Jack Hesmondhalgh our Air-gunner & Radio Operator in WW2. Jack served as the Chairman of the Allied Special Forces Association for many, many years.

The Sun Room is dedicated to Jack Hesmondhalgh – RAF Air Gunner WW2.
  • THE SUNROOM at the heart of the Grove.
  • Memorial Text and Motto of the Grove.
  • “Nil actum credens, dum quid superesset agendum.”
  • “Think nothing done, whilst things need to be done.”
  • In eternal memory of F/Lt. Jack Hesmondhalgh 1921-2010
  • RAF 101 Squadron WW2 – Chairman Allied Special Forces Association 2001-2010.

https://www.aircrew.org.uk/InMemoriam2.php ~ Aircrew Memorial Website includes Jack Hesmondhalgh 101 Squadron RAF.

The Sun Room Memorials

Ruth was the wife of Bob Tong who served with 2 SAS in WW2. We moved her memorial plaque to the Sun Room after the Willow tree had to be felled. Mike promised Bob that he would preserve her memory.
“Topper” Brown who was Nicks father brought this brass plaque to the Grove a few years ago and we added it to a Sun Room Beam. Sadly “Topper” has since passed away. Father and Son served with 22 SAS

13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment – 2024

Proudly honouring the fallen of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment, French Special Forces Command.

“Au dela du possible” ~ Beyond the possible!

Proudly honouring the fallen of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment of the French Special Forces Command.

22nd Special Air Service Regiment and Supporting Arms Falklands Conflict 1982

This memorial was donated to Peter Scholey (ex 22 SAS) by the Newport and District Parachute Regiment Association. Pete, who in turn gifted it to the Allied Special Forces Association for inclusion in the Sun Room in the Grove in 2012.
The Falklands Memorial Ceiling Panel in the Sun Room honouring those of many military units who lost their lives during the Conflict 1982. This looks down towards the Falklands Memorial Way where many more are situated.
Carved into the Oak Beam by Mike Colton is a statement from PM Margaret Thatcher and this was her statement in the House of Commons on the 3rd April 1982. ( Please move forward on this podcast to 24 minutes as it is at the end.)

22 SAS Falklands Casualties 1982

In memory of the soldiers of 22 SAS who lost their lives in the Falklands Conflict 1982. This plaque is situated in the Sun Room.
  • Memorial Text
  • In memory of the soldiers of 22 SAS who lost their lives in the Falklands Conflict 1982.
  • G Sqn
  • Capt J G Hamilton MC SAS
  • WO2 L Gallagher BEM SAS
  • Sgt. P P Currass QGM SAS
  • Sgt S A Davidson SAS
  • Sgt J L Arthy SAS
  • Cpl P A Bunker SAS
  • Tpr R E Armstrong SAS
  • Cpl E T Walpole RGJ
  • G Sqn
  • WO2 M Atkinson SAS
  • SSgt P O’Connor SAS
  • Cpl W J Begley SAS
  • Cpl W H Hatton QGM SAS
  • Cpl P Jones SAS
  • Sgt W.J Hughes WG
  • Cpl J Newton REME
  • 264 (SAS) Sig Sqn
  • Cpl M V McHugh Royal Signals
  • Cpl R A Burns Royal Signals
  • Cpl S G J Syles Royal Signals
  • L/Cpl P N Lightfoot Royal Signals
  • Forward Air Controllers
  • Flt Lt G W Hawkins RAF
  • Cpl D F McCormack Royal Signals
  • Donated by the Parachute Regimental Association Newport ( Monmouthshire) Branch South Wales – 2011.

“Don” Lofty Large

“The Oman Insurgencies 1958-1976” – Oak Bench commemorates WO2 Don “Lofty” Large who served in Korea with the Glorious Glosters, was wounded, repatriated and then joined the SAS. He went on to serve in many conflicts and ambushed Indonesian Special Forces in the Sungei Koemba River.

Alex Spence

“The SAS Regiment” oak bench to S/Sgt Alex Spence who was the Unarmed Combat and Close Quarter Battle Training Instructor at Bradbury Lines, Hereford.

Hereford Ex. Services Association & Hereford Welsh Social Club – 2011

In 2011 this Solid Oak Seat was kindly donated by the Hereford Ex-Services Association & the Hereford Welsh Social Club. The only screws used were to fix the name plate. The seat was hand made by their members.

Hughes Meier – Brigade Piron – Luxembourg

Set on an Oak Post is the memorial to Hughes Meier who served with Brigade Piron during WW2.

Hughes Meier

Hughes Meier
Stained Glass Poppy’s courtesy of Danielle Meier.

Stimmy’s Stone.

  • Memorial Text
  • “Stimmy’s Stone” or more like Stimmy’s three stones join together a piece of Old Red Sandstone from Consall Hall; a piece of stone from Strasbourg Cathedral is suitably carved with the Cross of Lorraine and the latest stone plaque made from Lava Stone and created by the artist Sonia Rinaldi.
  • This Stone from Strasbourg Cathedral reflects the rejection of tyranny by those with great strength and courage who participated in Resistance to the evil occupation 1940-45.
  • “The Spirit of Resistance helps free a Nation’s Soul”
  • Gifted by the Stimpson family 2011 and 2024
Stimmy’s Stone from Strasbourg Cathedral.
October 2025

PAGE UPDATED 7th November 2025