Draft:Taff Groves
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Last edited by Workdave254 (talk | contribs) 10 months ago. (Update) |
Early life and military career
Taff Groves was born in Cardiff [1] and grew up in the Ely and Cathays areas. At the age of 19, he joined the Royal Regiment of Wales. After a brief period with the RAF Regiment, he returned to the Royal Regiment of Wales. In 1985, Groves successfully passed the selection for the United Kingdom (UK) Special Forces on his first attempt and was subsequently attached to the Special Air Service (SAS). He served in 'B' Squadron 22 SAS and later in L Detachment Reserves. His military career spanned over 30 years and was principally within UK Special Forces.
Post military life
After retiring from full-time service in the British Army, Groves embarked on a career as a security consultant within the private business sector. Using his extensive expertise in security matters, he played crucial roles in various high-stakes engagements. [2] [3] [4] One of the most notable incidents occurred during the Westgate Shopping Mall terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013. [5]
For a decade, his true involvement and identity remained undisclosed to the public. However, in September 2023, marking the 10th anniversary of the Westgate attack, Groves was persuaded by survivors to share his story. [6] This revelation highlighted his heroic actions and the significant impact he had during one of the most harrowing terrorist attacks in recent history.
Damien Lewis, British best selling author and filmmaker, fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the Royal Geographical Society, who has spent over twenty years reporting from and writing about conflict zones in many countries said of Groves; "Courage beyond measure, but knowing this guy as I do, that's hardly surprising."
On the 21st of September 2013 at least 4 Al Shabab terrorists in civilian clothes entered from various entry points the Westgate Shopping Mall, an upscale Mall in the Westlands district of Nairobi Kenya. They were armed with AK47 rifles, RPD light machine guns and grenades. They then started throwing grenades and firing indiscriminately at shoppers and workers.[7][8] The Mall was not fully declared secure until the 24th of September by Kenyan security forces.
The attack resulted in 67 reported deaths - 62 civilians (both foreigners and locals) and 5 Kenyan soldiers[9][10]
Approximately 200 people were wounded in the massacre many with life changing injuries. [11]
A major fire during the incident caused a collapse of the Mall and it has never been properly rebuilt even though it was partly reopened in 2015.[12]