I had to be tough to serve in the Special Forces, but as you’ve discovered, I’m just a mummy’s boy really. And even the toughest can be fragile. We all have our break points. But that doesn’t mean we’ll break. And you might even find a silver lining.
EPILOGUE
A few years ago, I met up with my best Marines mate Troy Robson, for the first time in years. We grabbed a couple of beers, sat ourselves down and Troy said to me, ‘Ollie, I’ve got a funny tale to tell you…’
Troy had been a colour sergeant for Alpha Company, 40 Commando, out in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Due to the activity of the enemy, many of the vehicles had been blown up, which had crippled his company’s operational capability. So Troy kept sending emails to the relevant people and kept getting the same response: ‘Nobody is getting vehicles because we don’t have any.’ But Troy doesn’t take no for an answer.
He somehow managed to get access to the military transport officer’s office, walked in and said, ‘Sir, it’s Sergeant Robson, I’ve been sending you emails about vehicles for my lads.’
‘What the fuck are you doing in here? Get out, otherwise I’ll have you arrested.’
‘But sir, I need vehicles—’
‘Get out!’
‘But sir, we can’t conduct operations without them—’
‘Robson, this is your last chance to leave of your own accord.’
But just before Troy opened the door, the officer said to him, ‘Before you go, Sergeant Robson, do you know Ollie Ollerton?’
Troy stopped in his tracks and swivelled on his heels.
‘Do I know fucking Ollie? I joined up with him, back in 1989! We served in Northern Ireland and Iraq together, but when he joined the Special Forces, we lost contact. Why do you ask?’
‘I’ve been looking for that boy for most of my career.’
‘Really? Why’s that, sir?’
‘I was with him when he was attacked by the chimpanzee.’
The officer was Major James Stafford, who was with me at the circus that day and ran home – very quickly, for a chubby lad – to tell my mum about the attack. Major Stafford had probably asked every Marine he’d ever met if they knew me. It was like another weird scene from Apocalypse Now.
After Troy had recovered from the shock of stumbling across a first-hand witness to his old mate’s chimp attack, while scrounging for vehicles in a warzone, he took a seat. Major Stafford told him the story in all its gory detail, they shared a joke or two, before it was time for Troy to leave. As Troy was opening the door, Major Stafford said to him, ‘Sergeant Robson.’
‘Yes, sir?’
‘Where do you want those vehicles?’
I have great memories of primary school – but secondary school wasn’t for a non-conformist like me.
Trouble always found me as a kid – on holiday in France, some exploding lemonade bottles cut open my legs.
The Royal Marines opened their doors for me when I needed, and now as an ambassador for the Royal Marines Charity it’s my turn to help the veterans and families of this prestigious unit.
My pass-out parade in 1990, before deploying to 45 Commando in Scotland. Troy (left) is still my best mate.
Looking mischievous before getting drunk – and naked – at my brother’s wedding. But booze wouldn’t always be so fun.
With my brother Justin and my sister Ashley at Mum’s second marriage to Simon.
Justin, me and Dad at my pass-out parade. But it was Mum who put me on the straight and narrow – I owe it all to her.
Close Quarters Battle training demands a lot from a soldier, testing each operator to their limit, physically and mentally.
I lost about 10kg during Selection – but what amazes me now is how young I looked.
Completion of Special Forces training in Poole, 1995 – the pass rate is less than 10%.
In Iraq with a damaged enemy vehicle – the shoot-out on the road to Baghdad was an important break point.
A close protection security job in Baghdad – I’m holding one of Saddam Hussein’s Republican Guard’s blinged-up AK47s.
Doing business the Baghdad way – my mate Denny and I in cheap local suits and tooled-up to the max.
Fool’s gold – from paying war lords to covering Iraqi staff wages, cash was king in Iraq and there was plenty of it.
In Thailand, we rescued 22 children from human traffickers – but a lifechanging trip would eventually turn sour.
After some intense visualisation, my company Break-Point was born – here I am working with my oppo Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham on Mission Evade.
Working on Mission UK, another twoday event with Break-Point – the public love getting a taste of Special Forces Selection.
In Portugal skydiving, which is my solace and escape – it’s not everybody’s idea of relaxation but I love the freedom it gives me.
My SAS: Who Dares Wins buddy Jason Fox shared my dream of starting Break-Point.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins took us back to Chile – never let it be said that celebrities aren’t tough.
The Directing Staff of SAS: Who Dares Wins – Jason, Ant Middleton, me and Billy.
Series four of SAS: Who Dares Wins in Chile – the show is the ultimate stage for my dreams.
Me and my partner Laura, my rock and rose – I’m not sure I could have done it without her.
Building a relationship with my son Luke on a visit to Manchester – he’ll be a man soon enough.
My wonderful mum – the woman I can never thank enough.
The most important thing in life is to help others – I formed the charity StrongMen with recruits from SAS: Who Dares Wins, Efrem Brynin and Dan Cross.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book wouldn’t have been possible without my literary agent David Riding at MBA; Sam Graham and the rest of the amazing team at my management agency, Red Monkey Collective; my editor Matt Phillips and his always encouraging and super-energetic team at Blink; and the creative excellence of my ghost writer Ben Dirs, who managed to put the scattered pieces of my life back together so that it made a coherent whole. Thank you all.
I should also thank the team at Minnow Productions, who bottle the magic and translate it to the screen in delivering SAS: Who Dares Wins to the public. It’s a wonderful show and the stage for my ideas that I craved. Huge thanks also to Foxy, Billy and Ant, who typify the essence of the Special Forces and always ‘pull it out of the bag’ at the 11th hour: Who Dares Grins…; to Dan and Efrem, my team at StrongMen – let’s make this happen; and to my team at Break-Point, who never fail to deliver, regardless of the challenges.
I take comfort from the thought that my journey has affected people in a positive way. But it has also affected some people negatively. I can only hope that anyone mentioned in this book – and anyone not – has found happiness, as I have done, and can appreciate that people come into our lives for a reason.
This project has allowed me to reflect in depth about my evolution, from that boisterous kid who couldn’t stay out of trouble to the fulfilled man I am today. My family, who I love very much, know my journey better than anyone. As such, I would like to say a big thank you to my brothers Justin and Mark and sister Ashley, who make me feel so very loved. You have always opened your arms for me when I needed it, and your smiles and laughter will forever be at the forefront of my memories. Mum and Dad, thank you for the values you instilled in me when I was growing up, which continue to shape the person I am today. Last, but certainly not least, thank you Luke. I see so much of myself in you, which can be scary. But it also makes me extremely proud.
I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Neil Foster, who was so generous with his support and empathy when I was out of control and off the rails; to Bagsy Baker, whose wise words at exactly the right time convinced an uncertain kid that he had what it took to join the most exclusive club in the world; and to Troy Robson, for the endless support, brotherhood and laughter.
My beautiful partner Laura was instrument
al in my transition from a man living in a tent with nothing but optimism and a host of bright ideas to the contended person I am today. She is my rose and my rock and always shines on the cloudiest days. Laura, I will never be able to thank you enough.
I couldn’t sign off without paying tribute to every man and woman who has signed on the dotted line for Queen and country, particularly those Special Forces soldiers who did such demanding work for the security of our great nation. It was these brothers I served alongside who often made the hardest challenges seem effortless. Be proud for who you are and what you stand for.
To all the above, you have gone above and beyond Break Point.
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