worth a read:
The Memorial Grove
Name: Phil Jones
Date Posted: May 26, 07 - 5:14 PM
Email: pjones7@ntlworld.com
Message: I’d like to put into words a recent visit to the Grove and pay a few tributes along the way.
Firstly to Mike Colton and all the team at ASFA I’d like to say a big thank you to all of you who have done such a magnificent job in creating this special place, often in the face of adversity. I was struck by how it’s not just an SAS Grove but one to all the brave souls since WW2 who have the courage and sheer bravery to do what most of us would consider unacceptably risky missions. Many paid with their lives and it’s so good to see that they will now be remembered in perpuity.
A focus of my visit was to see the seat and plaque to my pal of the 70s and early 80s, Vince Phillips. After what his good name and family have suffered, again it’s good to see that he will be remembered – surely nobody can steal that huge seat! It was a lovely sunny day, plenty of wildlife around, and it became a pleasure to sit on that seat and have a chat with Vince.
I thanked him, and sadly deceased mutual friend, Paul Bunker (lost in the South Atlantic) for complimentary words they once said to me – from men of their calibre, those words have been an inspiration to me on many an occasion. I thanked them both, and the rest of their Company, who took the rap for a prank that I had done. That’s comradeship – and they even did it for me - a ‘blue job’! So many stories came back to me and I’ve no doubt that Vince never changed – mad as a hatter who even ripped the pot off his broken leg while we were out running together. Of course was it also mad that, full of scrumpy, he jumped off a bridge into a river just 6 inches deep and broke his leg in the first place, but that’s Vince and he had determination like I’ve never known.
Having just been a blue job and never having been in the Regiment, I feel I can say the following – the name gained by simple genealogy which absolutely anybody could do. I sincerely hope that Steven B Mitchell (Andy McNab) and his fellow irrefutably proven liar of an ‘author’ Ryan might one day have half the guts that Vince had, visit the Grove, and publicly admit the shameful way they betrayed Vince and others in their books that have made them into multi-millionaires. Even rich people must have consciences. If either would like to challenge my words, I would be more than happy for them to contact me.
That off my chest, once again I salute all of the people associated with ASFA who are putting in so much work for ALL the special forces people. Most people have no idea of just how much we owe to them.
Keep up the wonderful work and best wishes to you all.
Phil Jones
Subject: Re: The Memorial Grove
Name: Mike Colton
Date Posted: May 27, 07 - 2:53 AM
Email: postroom@alliedspecialforces.org
Message: Dear Phil,
I have read your comments below and we wondered who had added the crosses to Vince's bench and previous to this a dozen red roses were in situ for a number of months. His tree to the left is flourishing and pink Weigela has been added to the area over this weekend.
Hope to be in touch by phone soon.
Regards,
Mike Colton
Secretary
Allied Special Forces Association
Subject: Re: Re: The Memorial Grove
Name: Phil Jones
Date Posted: May 27, 07 - 5:55 AM
Email: pjones7@ntlworld.com
Message: Dear Mike,
I noticed the crosses also - look closely and one seems to have an officer's name on it. I haven't added anything to the seat or at St Martin's and certainly wouldn't have put a dozen red roses there - I think Vince would accuse me of turning gay if I had!
It would seem that more people than we know think very highly of Vince, which is very pleasing.
Best Regards
Phil
Re: Re: Re: The Memorial Grove
Name: Simon
Date Posted: May 30, 07 - 1:35 PM
Message: As an observer and relative of a former SF soldier I have to agree that the way Vince Phillips and his family have been treated is terrible(beyond words really).
Anyone who is prepared to put their life on the line during SF missions or conventional op's has my undying respect and thanks for it is because of them that I can sit here and record this.
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