About Robin
Born in Farnham, Surrey, UK. Following a divorce from his birth father, his mother Hazel married his step-father, who adopted him and gave him the name Horsfall. A broken family life adversely affected his education, so he left school in 1972 at the age of fifteen and joined the army as a boy soldier.
Despite a long period of isolation and bullying by his peers, he became a full member of the Parachute Regiment in 1974 and served three tours of Northern Ireland. In 1978 he volunteered for SAS selection and passed on his second attempt in March 1979. He went on to qualify as a Paramedic and Sniper.
He was a member of the SAS counter terrorist team that assaulted the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980, helping to rescue the nineteen hostages who had been held for six days.
Robin has had an extraordinary life and has been speaking about it at events both small and large for over 10 years.
About Robin
Interested in booking Robin to speak at your function?
Robin´s timeline
Follow Robin’s journey from boy-soldier to proud grandfather, visiting many interesting, exciting and downright unbelievable life events along the way.
Joined Army age 15 as a junior soldier.
Left Junior Service
2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment.
Bodyguard to Dodi Al-Fayed in London. Qualified Black Belt in Karate.
Bodyguard to Sheikh Mohammed and John Ackah Blay-Miezah.
Bodyguard to Rafic Al-Hariri in Lebanon.
Bodyguard to Albert Dunlap.
Published Autobiography Fighting Scared
Published the trilogy The Words of the Wise Old Paratrooper.
Diagnosed with malignant bladder cancer. Successfully treated and now in recovery.
One wife, five children, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.
Joined Army age 15 as a junior soldier.
Left Junior Service
2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment.
Three operational tours of Northern Ireland (Op Banner) Shot, laid on bomb.
First SAS selection. Failed but retained for 2nd attempt.
Second SAS Selection.
Badged to B Sqn 22 SAS. Qualified as a Registered Emergency Medical Technician.
4th tour of Northern Ireland.
Operation Nimrod. Hostage Rescue London.
Married to wife Heather.
Qualified Linguist - Arabic.
Operation Sandy Wanderer. Discovered measles in the Bedouin population of Oman.
Qualified as Royal Marines Sniper Marksman.
Operation Mikado Falklands War.
5th Tour Northern Ireland.
Purchased discharge from HM Forces.
Bodyguard to Dodi Al-Fayed in London. Qualified Black Belt in Karate.
Contract Soldier Sri Lanka. Resigned.
Bodyguard to Sheikh Mohammed and John Ackah Blay-Miezah.
Bodyguard to Rafic Hariri in Lebanon.
Major in Frelimo armed forces Mozambique.
Bodyguard to Albert Dunlap.
Director of Security Company.
Medical Officer for Omai Gold Guyana. Built, trained staff and managed the medical reception center.
Founded London Shukokai Karate.
Founded London Karate Limited.
Published Autobiography Fighting Scared
Appeared in BAFTA award-winning documentary SAS Embassy Siege.
Won Australian Shukokai Karate Kata Championships Melbourne.
Qualified as 6th Dan Black Belt in Karate.
Broke his neck and retired from teaching karate.
Attended University of Surrey as an undergraduate in English Literature and Creative Writing.
Graduated BA (Hons) 2:1.
Published the trilogy The Words of the Wise Old Paratrooper.
Diagnosed with malignant bladder cancer. Successfully treated and now in recovery.
One wife, five children, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.
If you find Robin’s story as fascinating as others have, you can book him to speak in detail about his experiences at your event or function.
PARTNERS
Kyo Rei Shukokai Karate London
Northern Ireland Veterans Movement
Regularly donates
to Julia’s House
DonkeyDrop
Theatre