Rob Illman is one of the Ashburton team’s longest-serving members and has helped hundreds of injured, missing or sick people in the last 41 years. He has participated in more than 1200 call-outs either receiving the call as Search Manager or as a team member. 

Rob joined the team in 1982 - he had a couple of friends in the team & he was walking regularly on Dartmoor doing letterboxing, so he went along one day & joined up. 

In his time on the team, he was Team Leader (Search Manager) for 17 years. He took a step back 11 years ago to be a Support Team Member and took on the role of driver. That has developed into being a qualified blue light driver; 4 years ago he became an MREW 4x4 Instructor, alongside colleagues, teaching members from across the region off-road skills. 

Over those 41 years, he has been awarded 3 Queen's Jubilee medals (platinum, diamond & gold) recognising over 30 years of voluntary service. He was involved in the Snow Plan with the Local Resilience Forum and active in its execution on Haldon Hill, he was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the community by the former MP Barbara Follet. In addition, he has been involved in Ten Tors for over 30 years and was active in the evacuation in 1996 of participants due to a snowstorm. Rob said: “One particularly memorable call out would be when I returned home from Ten Tors early to attend a family party, only to be called out to search for a young high-risk vulnerable male who had gone missing in mid-Devon. Team members were only available by flying them in from the Ten Tors event. Thankfully, the young lad was found safe & well & the teams were able to return to Dartmoor by helicopter with thanks to the Army for their understanding & support.

“I want to thank all my colleagues in the team & in the emergency services for their support over the years & the nomination. I’m honoured to receive this.”