OVER the past few years, you have published a number of letters from all corners of the world asking for or giving information regarding a special forces unit formed just prior to the Second World War known as the STAGS (Specially Trained Advanced Group).>

Grandfather was a secret war hero

OVER the past few years, you have published a number of letters from all corners of the world asking for or giving information regarding a special forces unit formed just prior to the Second World War known as the STAGS (Specially Trained Advanced Group). Many of the correspondents mentioned my grandfather Sgt "Tom" Williams.

It was only due to the publication of these letters and the references to my grandfather that we discovered his remarkable past.

He had kept his activities a secret, even from his wife of over 50 years.

When as a youngster I asked whether he had been in the Army, he would reply, "of course, the Salvation Army!"

Over the last couple of years, he provided us with small snippets of information enfolded in elaborate stories, always funny, often deeply moving.

My grandfather passed away at the beginning of July, leaving a few documents providing a small glimpse of his remarkable past.

I have explored many venues to obtain further details. However, all of the organisations I have approached have denied any knowledge of this mysterious unit.

We understand that my grandfather made arrangements for many old comrades to have their service in the STAGS recognised at their funerals.

However, given the secrecy with which he dealt with anything concerning the STAGS there are no records of what he did or who he contacted. It saddens me deeply that I have not been able to obtain the same recognition for him.

I would be extremely grateful if any of your readers could shed more light on the unit and on my grandfather in particular.

Daniel J Willans

Orchard Way

Holmer Green

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.