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| Farewell to Pathfinder’s
proud NSW president Volume 49, No. 02, February 22, 2007 |
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The WWII veteran, aged 81, died on January 23 after a short illness. CDF ACM Angus Houston and CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd were among many guests at the service, including members of Air Lift Group from RAAF Base Richmond. Mr Mather enlisted in the RAAF in mid-1943 and later served in No. 106 and 97SQNs as a wireless operator in a Pathfinder crew. The Pathfinders were an elite group of the RAF’s Bomber Command responsible for leading all RAF night bombing missions over enemy targets in Europe. They flew Lancaster and Mosquito aircraft in advance of the main bombing streams to illuminate the targets using special flares as target indicators, and consistently bore the brunt of enemy flak and fighter attacks. The crew losses were enormous. Following the war, Mr Mather became a member of the NSW Pathfinders Association and was elected president in 1995. In this capacity, he became involved with ALG, attending the annual Pathfinder Force Presentation Dinners at RAAF Base Richmond. Following the presentation of the NSW Branch of the Pathfinders Force Banner to 37SQN, he marched with serving members in Sydney on Anzac Day last year. |
