About The QRMW and our founder

A little about us

The Quick Response Memorial Woodland (QRMW) is a small, Surrey-based charity run by a dedicated team of volunteers with the aim of assisting ex-servicemen who are in need of immediate assistance – they may be homeless, destitute; and unable to pay a bill that will keep him in his home, feed his family or assist with other essential expenses at a time when they are desperate. Thereafter, QRMW helps them get in touch with larger charities such as SAFFA to obtain long-term help they require.

Founded by ‘Paul ‘The Hat’ Cooling

The Charity also provides a unique facility of having the Memorial Woodland as a place of reflection and remembrance for the families/friends of former service personnel. Located at Holmbury St Mary near Dorking in Surrey, it was purchased by the Founder and Chair, Paul ‘the Hat’ Cooling, from his own funds but created by many ex-servicemen who volunteered their time to make the woodland a place of reflection that it is today. It is their way of showing support for our troops, sharing the sense of loss, helping those suffering from the trauma to gain solace from the tranquillity of the place.

Pauls Story

I was a serving soldier in the 1st Battalion the Queen’s Regt (Surrey) for nine years – Lance Corporal. My duties included working in Headquarters Intelligence. I also boxed for the Battalion for seven years and was Army Champion. I did three ‘tours’ of Northern Ireland whilst based in Bulford, Wiltshire and, later at Werl, in Germany.

In later years I found myself saddened and moved to see our troops, my former colleagues, being lost in action; particularly the televised bulletins showing the returning coffins of the lost soldiers. It affected me to an extent that I stopped watching television. But simply blotting out the matter was not enough;something within me told me I needed to do more. I started looking for land with a vague notion to provide a place to honour the fallen.

It was two and a half years later I found a plot of woodland near Dorking in Surrey which was up for auction. When I visited the site at Holmbury St Mary the wood was littered with rubbish, very neglected with high brambles everywhere. But, standing there in the total silence apart from the occasional bird singing and church bells ringing in the distance, I knew this was meant to be; I knew my vision would now be fulfilled.

As soon as I had possession of the land I contacted some Army ‘buddies’ and explained my vision. They have been incredibly helpful. I have since applied to form a Charity and, with generous help from the local residents who have donated picnic benches, flowers, trees and shrubs, not to forget their spare time “The Memorial Woodland” is available for all to visit.