Private  Mark Robson the son of Rowly and Veronica Robson was raised in Thornaby on Tees, Cleveland, attending St Patricks Primary and Secondary schools where he excelled in sport. Inspired by stories from his Father who served in Jordan and Germany (REME) it was always his intention to join the army

Following the events of the Falklands War 1982 there could only one choice.

After the successful recruitment process he started his career with 1 Platoon Junior Para which had just re located to The Guards Depot, Pirbright, Surrey. His section commander was Lenny Carver who had been badly injured during Operation Corporate resulting in the loss of a lung. The Platoon Commander was Lt Wilford (son on ex 1 PARA CO Lt Col Wilford)

Whilst on Christmas leave in December 1985 Robson’s parents received written notification that he should not report back to Pirbright but return to Browning Barracks Aldershot where he would commence ‘adult’ training with 517 Platoon. Mark successfully passed military parachute jump training on course 939 Basic, which started end of May 1986.

His Section commander in Depot Para was another Falklands Veteran Corporal (Later Major) Kevin Robison.

Passing out with 517 Platoon in June 1986 he received the award for Champion Shot SLR.

Posted to the 1^st Battalion initially in Bulford, he saw service in Norway under Lt Col Mike Jackson followed by service in Kenya and Northern Ireland with the Signals Platoon.

In 1990 he opted to continue his service with the Police Force (with the blessing on then CO Dick Trigger,) where he spent a further 28 years (21 of which as a dog handler / instructor)

Mark represented Great Britain with his dogs at 2 World Championships, He also became a marathon long distance open water swimmer and completed Ironman Austria in 2007.

Retiring from the Police Service in 2017 he now honours the fallen by scattering their ashes whilst parachuting. He is an active member of the Middlesbrough and Cleveland PRA.

Written by Mark Robson