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Robert Allan Clothier was a prominent Canadian stage and television actor most famous for his role on the long-running CBC television show, The Beachcombers. He portrayed Bruno Gerussi's rival beachcomber, Relic – a clumsy man of Welsh descent who lived on a house boat and used his speedboat to outrun and challenge Nick's claims to logs.
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 Mitchell bomber 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.
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