True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: June, 2010
Reg.#26112, Corporal Robert Gordon Teather CV.
Canadian Cross of Valour. Died While Serving
RCMP Vets Vancouver, BC
Corporal Robert (Bob) Gordon Teather was born in Hamilton, ON., and he joined the Force in September 1967. While in the Force, he served in General Duty (North Vancouver Detachment and Surrey Detachment) as well as on the “E” Division Protective Security Unit and the 'E' Division Dive Team.
Corporal Teather was a trained Hostage Taker - Barricaded Person Negotiator and a Diving Instructor. It was through his persistence and dedication that the 'E' Division Dive Team was formally recognized in April 1977.
On September 26th, 1981, Corporal Teather (serving as a member of the Surrey Detachment & callout member of the “E” Division Dive Team) was called to assist with the rescue of two fishermen trapped in the overturned hull of a boat.
Early that morning, the boat 'Respond' collided with a freighter near the mouth of the Fraser River in British Columbia. The boat capsized with the two crewmen stranded on board. Corporal Teather and a colleague arrived on the scene and an exploratory dive proved that only one diver could enter the hull at a time.
Corporal Teather was inexperienced in this type of rescue, but was aware that the boat was sinking and that qualified help was miles away. Despite the lack of personnel support and unaware if the two crew members were alive he entered the companion-way.
orporal Teather made his way into the engine room. Most of the way through the ship was done by touch. When he reached the galley, he opened the door, and made his way to front of the vessel.In an air pocket fouled by diesel fumes he found the two men, one of them a non-swimmer, and their pet dog. He instructed both on the use of underwater breathing equipment. Corporal Teather then took the non-swimmer on his back to safety.
The door to the galley that Corporal Teather had opened shut on him, and he managed to feel his way around to the handle to open in. During that time, the seaman panicked and knocked his rescuer's mask off. Corporal Teather managed to pin the man against the wall of the galley and put the man's goggles and the re-breather back on so he could get the man to the surface where the other diver took over.
Corporal Teather then retrieved the other survivor using the same method.While at the surface, Corporal Teather strongly suggested that he go back down to the vessel with a bucket filled with air, put the dog's head in the bucket, and assisted the dog in reaching the surface. Senior officials frowned upon the idea, stating the dog's life was not worth his own life and the possibility of being trapped in the vessel.
Consequently, Corporal Teather was relieved to find the next day when the ship was towed to shore and up onto the dock, that the dog somehow managed to stay alive and came out of the ship.
Unquestionably, if Corporal Teather had not undertaken the rescue, the two fishermen would likely have drowned or succumbed to asphyxiation.
Corporal Robert Gordon Teather, CV.
For his brave efforts, Corporal Teather was awarded the Cross of Valour on the 25th of April 1983 by the Governor General of Canada.
The Cross of Valour is the highest ranking of the Canadian Bravery Decorations and the only other higher bravery award is the Victoria Cross. Currently, there have been only 20 recipients of the Cross of Valour.
Corporal Robert Teather was the 13th recipient of this Medal and the first RCMP member to receive it.
Sadly, on November 15th, 2004, Corporal Robert Teather passed away at the Surrey Memorial Hospital of natural causes due to diabetes.
To all persons who knew Bob Teather – he was known as a most caring and humble person. We were all proud to have known this great and compassionate man.
RIP
I'd like to thank 'E' Div. Veteran Sheldon Boles for contributing to this Vet of the Month story., a very courageous act by a very courageous man. Corporal Teather well deserves the Cross of Valour!
The Vet of the Month for June 2010 was dedicated to RCMP Corporal Robert Gordon Teather.
We take time to tip our Stetson to him!
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
June 23, 2010
