In Memory of Reg.#26112, Cpl. R. Teather

C A N A D A

In Memory of Reg.#26112, Cpl. Robert Teather

'Friends Not Forgotten'

Corporal Robert 'Bob' Gordon Teather was born in Hamilton, Ontario and he joined the Force in September 1967. 

His postings included North Vancouver Detachment, Surrey Detachment, 'E' Division Dive Team, and 'E' Division Protective Services Unit. He was recognized as a trained Hostage Taker-Barricaded Person Negotiator and a Forensic Diving Instructor. In addition, Bob found time to write and publish books including: The Underwater Investigator; Encyclopedia  Underwater Investigations; and Scarlet Tunic – V 1 & V 2. 

Very espeially though, it was through his persistence and dedication that he was formally and publically recognized. His story follows...

On September 26, 1981, Corporal  Teather while serving at the Surrey Detachment and a on-call member of the 'E' Division Dive Team were 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. Their exploratory dive proved that only one diver could enter the hull at a time. Teather was inexperienced in this type of rescue, but he 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 ship's companion-way.   

As visibility was limited to a few centimetres inside, Cpl. Teather  made his way into the engine room. Most of his way through the ship was done by touch. When he reached the galley, Cpl. Teather 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, but 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. Cpl. Teather  was relieved to learn the next day when the ship was towed to shore and the dog somehow managed to stay alive.

If Cpl. Teather had not undertaken the rescue, the two fishermen would likely have drowned or succumbed to asphyxiation.  For his efforts, Cpl. Teather was awarded  the Cross of Valour on  April 25, 1983 by the Governor General of Canada. 

The Cross of Valour is the highest ranking of the Canadian Bravery Decoration 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 13^th receipient of this Medal and the first RCMP member to receive it. 

Sadly, on November 15, 2004, Cpl. Robert Teather passed away at the Surrey Memorial Hospital of natural causes with diabetes. 

Bob Teather was the most caring and humble person. All are proud of him.

'Maintain our Memories'

J. J. Healy,
with Vet. Sheldon Boles