TOPIC: The Origins of Special Forces WHEN: Saturday 5th September @ 1pm

We are delighted to welcome back Tom Petch, Award-winning film director and ex-SAS Commander as a Guest Speaker in our History Tent at The Victory Show 2026.

Tom Petch served for eight years in the British Army, as a tank commander, adjutant, aide de camp and a Troop Commander of 22 SAS. His military experience gives him a unique perspective on recently declassified archives, operation reports, accounts and interviews of the original SAS and their commanders. He is now an award-winning film director and producer whose debut film, The Patrol, won the Raindance Film Festival. He is also the great-great-great-grandson of Samuel Shepheard, who founded Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo where the SAS was born.

Tom Petch’s new book, Speed Aggression Surprise is a fast-paced, dramatic story of the real origins of the SAS that stretches back earlier than the official accounts. It is both a provocative new origin story of this iconic unit and also a dramatic, non-fiction thriller. For lovers of the BBC series ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’ this is the true story behind the creation of the world’s preeminent special force.

Tom Petch lives by the sea with his wife, four children and pug. When not working he can be found on his surfboard. He supports veteran charities, most recently campaigning for the rights for Fijian veterans to remain in the UK. He has appeared on Sky, BBC and the Today programme.

Tom will be with us on Saturday 5th September and his talk will focus on The Origins of Special Forces.