Rob's Background
Rifle Demo: Robert training South African Special Forces
At the age of sixteen, Robert Stirling joined the British Army as a Junior Leader Paratrooper and so spent his first year of service undergoing a strict training regime which alternated weapons skills, drill, physical exercise and education all designed to prepare a soldier for leadership.
Entering adult service and passing P Company, the Parachute Regiment selection, led to four tours in Northern Ireland and some covert experience wearing a donkey jacket and carrying a 9mm pistol.
After transferring to the Royal Hussars and completing tank training, Robert Stirling was probably the second youngest ever to pass selection for the SAS at 19 years of age. The youngest, of course, was the famous John "Lofty" Wiseman - legendary SAS soldier, author of several books and generally good guy. Lofty was Robert Stirling's Sergeant Major when Lofty ran the training wing at 22 SAS Regt.
Train hard - fight easy
Robert left the British Army and joined the Rhodesian Army towards the end of the Bush War motivated by a distaste for Communism. In Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe, he led his own unit of up to 200 men which at one time included his friend the military author and war correspondent Yves Debay, a number of ex-French Foreign Legionnaires and a range of other soldiers of fortune against the terrorist leader Robert Mugabe.
Rhodesian Armoured Car Regt. Support Troop
Robert was in constant action and wounded twice. Once in Rhodesia and a second time during an "external" operation in Mozambique.
In Rhodesia he was in a vehicle ambush when, amongst other things, a piece of shrapnel zipped across his face cutting the front of his left eyeball, opening up his cheek and cutting the tear duct by his nose as it went.
In Mozambique, during an external operation, Robert was one of ten men sent to storm an anti-aircraft position on top of a hill protecting a terrorist camp. Almost at the top of the hill the assault team found 600 terrorists dug in and were pinned down. From 20 feet above them the terrorists rained down grenades resulting in both Robert being wounded and an American Lieutenant being hit and presumed dead.
Robert was hit by 13 pieces of shrapnel from a Russian grenade which exploded a yard from his head. One piece ran along his temple and closed his right eye while another managed to penetrate the sole of his boot with the others scattered over his body. The piece over his eye remains to this day and still sets off metal detectors.
A Welshman (Robert sends his thanks to the fearless Taffy Davies) gave covering fire to allow Robert to move between covering rocks but his FN rifle was shot out of his hands and fell away down the hill. Reduced to his side-arm Robert was able to lead his men in a fighting withdrawal. The Lieutenant – who shall remain nameless – had taken a piece of shrapnel in his back-side and limped into camp later that night.
Robert, top left, with his South African Special Forces team
After the fall of Rhodesia Robert went to meet the Brigadier commanding South African Special Forces and was offered the post of instructor to the Reconnaissance Commandos at the Bluff, Durban. After some months here, making a fair job of turning keen young men into special forces operators, Robert was accused of spying for British Intelligence.
After spending Christmas in a South African Military prison, waiting for the diplomats to do their thing, Robert was released and discharged from the SADF. Strangely this led to working with South African Intelligence (BOSS):
Corned beef or Kudu?
Besides extensive combat experience in numerous other conflicts over the years, Robert has been contracted to recover stolen diamonds, work undercover against mercenary operations, teach unarmed combat to riot police, provide close protection to VIPs and some other duties which it would be inappropriate to specify here.
The reader will notice that the pictures used here come from early on in his career. This is principally due to the confidential nature of much of his work since then.
Today Robert works as a consultant and trainer for several governments, private organisations and the European Military Parachutist Association based in Germany. He has written several books, one of which is available from this web site and is heavily involved in charity work for soldiers and veterans:
Robert Stirling is now patron of Veterans International Aid
Veterans International Aid (VIA), Registered Charity No: 1128026, takes veterans recovering from PTSD on expeditions all over the world to raise their battered self-confidence and re-build the old team spirit.
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A Word From Robert
"My mates who set it up swear this site will bring lots of soldiers and young men to take a look. The soldiers just might learn a thing or two from what I have written: If it stops one squaddy triggering an IED and going home in a body bag then it is all worth while. And if I get one or two more young men to join the army I think I will have done them a favour too.
I believe that this site is also a good way to bring people to see the military charities I am involved with.
Frankly, I am deeply embarrassed at how "gung ho" this site looks. It makes me out to be some sort of hero - which I certainly am not. I have just been fairly good at not getting shot over the years.
There are a great many soldiers with more guts than I have, particularly Boot Necks (Royal Marines) and the Toms of the Parachute Regiment. There are lots of men who know more than I do and have done more than I have. Lofty Wiseman for one.
I thought it was bad enough writing the books - you can tell I am not a natural scholar - without appearing on this web site. As every veteran knows, we normally only talk business in the bar with people who have been there and going into this sort of detail with "war stories" for the public is not comfortable.
Whatever, if all it takes is me looking a prat to do some good, and save some of our boys from injury or worse, then I can handle that. I have made a bigger fool of myself for far less.
While you are here, and so long as you have saved this site to your "favourites", why don't you take a look at some real soldiers?"
Sergeant Major John "Lofty" Wiseman - 22 SAS - Survival Instructor
Lofty is my hero and a really good bloke - he was my Sergeant Major for a while when I was 19 and at Hereford. He was very patient with me - and I was quite difficult when young. Actually, I was very difficult. Not now of course.
Lofty in the bush
Yves Debay: Ex-mercenary, Fearless War Correspondent And Author
Yves is a good mate of mine but writes and speaks only French. Well, his English is about as good as my French but we get by. He has produced a whole range of excellent books on military matters from history to the French Foreign Legion to Armour and Helicopters. He does the pictures and gets someone else to write the words.
Yves on a body count
To Close:
"Don't forget to look at the "Support Our Soldiers" page and see if you can do something to help.
Give them some money, or do a sponsored parachute jump or even better, come and do a course or work with us. VIA always welcomes veterans who want to lend a hand.
I would count it a favour if you could tell all your mates about this site and put up a link or two.
The more people who come here the more good we can do.
Regards,
Robert Stirling"