We first met Robbie and Helen in Iserlohn when I was posted to 5 Field Squadron Royal Engineers where Robbie and I were both young and fairly green troop commanders.  I admired Robbie for his superb fitness and dedication to his troop.  I also rather envied the obvious respect and affection with which he was regarded by his men, particularly his senior NCOs.  I remember a staff sergeant being in tears at Robbie’s leaving party.  He was great fun socially and Julie recalls that he had a fondness for toasted stilton sandwiches. He was courageous.  Put in charge of the regimental boxing team he did not just oversee their training, he joined in and did it all.  Unfortunately this meant that when one of the boxers could not take part in the next competition Robbie, who was not really a boxer, could take his place in the ring.  Robbie’s opponent battered him for almost three solid rounds but Robbie stuck it out.  If there had been a fourth round I reckon Robbie might have beaten his now exhausted opponent.  Robbie was one of those special individuals that you wish you had been able to spend more time with and who one is proud to have known.