Mr. Robert Mather Etchells.
Hero of Ditched Bomber
Dies at 58
(Sheffield Telegraph
Thursday 24/5/79)
A war hero Lancaster bomber pilot from Sheffield has died, aged 58. He piloted a bomber which ditched in the North Sea and spent four days adrift in a dinghy with his crew. For his actions with the Pathfinders Mr Robert Mather Etchells, of Parkhead Crescent, Parkhead, was awarded the DSO. He was the blind marker for 56 squadron, staking out targets for other bombers.
His Lancaster ditched when three engines were shot away as he returned from a raid over Kiel. After four days in the water, the crew were picked up by a Danish fishing boat which they then commandeered and took back to Hull. Mr Etchells was also awarded the DFC for completing two tours of operations in Lancasters.
Born in county Durham, he was studying at Sheffield University for an English degree when the war broke out. He returned to complete his studies and later taught at schools throughout Sheffield.
He leaves a widow, Margaret, and daughter Beth. The funeral service will be at Ecclesall parish church tomorrow morning, followed by cremation at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium