Vet of the Month: June, 2010
Reg.#26112, Corporal Robert Teather, CV
by 'E' Div. Vet. Sheldon Boles
Vet of the Month: June, 2010
Reg.#26112, Corporal Robert Teather, CV
by 'E' Div. Vet. Sheldon Boles
Cpl. Robert (Bob) Gordon Teather was born in Hamilton, Ontario 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.
Bob 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 26 September 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. Cpl. Teather and a colleague
arrived on the scene and an exploratory dive proved that only one diver could enter the hull at a time.
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.
As visibility was limited to a few centimetres inside, Cpl. 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. Cpl. Teather then took the non-swimmer on his back to safety.
The door to the galley that 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. Cpl. 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 another diver took over.
Cpl. Teather then retrieved the other survivor using the same method.
While at the surface, Cpl. 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 assist the dog in reaching the surface. Senior officials frowned
upon the idea, stating the dog's life is not worth his own with the possibility of being trapped in the vessel.
Consequently, Cpl. 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.
If Cpl. Teather had not undertaken the rescue, the two fishermen would likely have drowned or succumbed to
asphyxiation.
Cpl. Robert Gordon Teather, CV
For his efforts, Cpl. 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 receipients of the
Cross of Valour.
Cpl. Robert Teather was the 13th receipient of this Medal and the first RCMP member to receive it.
Sadly, on the 15th of November 2004, Cpl. Robert Teather passed away at the Surrey Memorial Hospital of natural causes
after a battle with 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. Vet. 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 month of June 2010 was dedicated to RCMP Cpl. Robert Gordon Teather. We take time to tip our Stetson to him!
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
RIPJ. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
CLICK HERE : BUFFALO BLOG
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