Here's a little bit of info for sirhrmechanic about Relic from the Beachcombers. Kind of fitting with the 70th anniversary of D-Day coming up. The place where he crashed I am very familiar with as in later years it was used as a training site for other agencies.
It may surprise many to learn that during World War II, "Relic" was a bomber pilot with No. 408 Squadron RCAF. In his crew picture he looks almost child-like, certainly very young as were most Bomber Command pilots. Even then he appears to have been a bit of a character. In the photo he is wearing a scarf and has a pistol in his hand.
The photo of Relic's crew is one of the finest we have seen of a Canadian Bomber crew and it was chosen to be on the title panel of Canada's Bomber Command Memorial.
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Canada's Bomber Command Memorial
Robert Clothier was born in Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1921 and attended St. Georges School in Vancouver. Like many of his contemporaries, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at an early age. He learned to fly at #1 Elementary Flying School and #4 Service Flying Training School.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on December 5, 1944, the citation reading,
This officer has completed numerous sorties in the role of pilot,
involving attacks on most of the enemy's heavily defended targets.
On all occasions he has pressed home his attacks with great determination
and by his personal example of courage, coolness and confidence
has set an example which has inspired all with whom he has flown."
On December 23, 1944, while serving as an instructor with No. 5 Operational Training Unit, Boundary Bay, B. C., F/L Clothier was the pilot of a B-25 Mitchell that crashed on takeoff. Three on board were killed, and Clothier was the only survivor, but was severely injured with a broken back. He was paralyzed from the waist down for two years. At the time of his injury, Clothier had some 1204 hours flying time, in Tiger Moths, Cranes, Ansons, Hampdens, Oxfords, Wellingtons, Lysanders, Martinets, Halifaxes, Lancasters, and Mitchells. He had flown 260 hours in Hampdens, 364 hours in Wellingtons and 111 hours in Lancasters.
It may surprise many to learn that during World War II, "Relic" was a bomber pilot with No. 408 Squadron RCAF. In his crew picture he looks almost child-like, certainly very young as were most Bomber Command pilots. Even then he appears to have been a bit of a character. In the photo he is wearing a scarf and has a pistol in his hand.
The photo of Relic's crew is one of the finest we have seen of a Canadian Bomber crew and it was chosen to be on the title panel of Canada's Bomber Command Memorial.
Related Articles
Canada's Bomber Command Memorial
Robert Clothier was born in Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1921 and attended St. Georges School in Vancouver. Like many of his contemporaries, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at an early age. He learned to fly at #1 Elementary Flying School and #4 Service Flying Training School.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on December 5, 1944, the citation reading,
This officer has completed numerous sorties in the role of pilot,
involving attacks on most of the enemy's heavily defended targets.
On all occasions he has pressed home his attacks with great determination
and by his personal example of courage, coolness and confidence
has set an example which has inspired all with whom he has flown."
On December 23, 1944, while serving as an instructor with No. 5 Operational Training Unit, Boundary Bay, B. C., F/L Clothier was the pilot of a B-25 Mitchell that crashed on takeoff. Three on board were killed, and Clothier was the only survivor, but was severely injured with a broken back. He was paralyzed from the waist down for two years. At the time of his injury, Clothier had some 1204 hours flying time, in Tiger Moths, Cranes, Ansons, Hampdens, Oxfords, Wellingtons, Lysanders, Martinets, Halifaxes, Lancasters, and Mitchells. He had flown 260 hours in Hampdens, 364 hours in Wellingtons and 111 hours in Lancasters.
