Introduction
A Brief Hx of Aerial Photography
Aircraft
Airbases
Photographers
Places of Note
Dedication
Steve Johnson's New Yukon Airways Collection
A Gallery of Photographs
References
Flight of the Curtiss Lark to Red Lake - 1926
Preview: Places & Planes The RCAF at Work
Biography of Roy Maxwell Early Years
Captain Roy Maxwell is an intriguing figure in Canadian Aviation History.
Roy Maxwell is mentioned multiple times in Bruce West's book "The Firebirds", 1974.
Example 1- page 11
During the years 1922 and 1923 the forestry Branch of Lands & Forests of Ontario entered into contracts with Laurentide Air Service, with Headquarters at Grand Mere, PQ to carry out fire patrols in the northern sections of Ontario. The Laurentide Air Service equipment consisted of 15 HS-2L's, and the operation was headed by W. Roy Maxwell, then the managing Director of the firm.
page 20, page 22, page 26, page 28-31, page 33, page 37, page 43, page 47-53, page 56, page 58, page 73-74, page 83-86, page 90, page 95, page 98, page 100-102, page 107-113, page 116, page 118-123, page 125-130, page 132-134, page 137, page 139, page 140, page143-145, page 148-164, page 170, page 181-190, page 196, page 235,
Additional References:
Esprit de Corps page 40
An Appreciation: page 191-192, 196, 235
First Report: page73-74, 83
Base Selection: page 56-60
Expense Accounts: page 23-24
Resignation threatened page 119-120
Resignation LAS: page 25, 137
Roy Maxwell’s management of the OAS came under scrutiny with the change of Government in 1934 that saw Liberal Leader Mitch Hepburn’s and his Liberal Party win the election and turning the long standing Conservative Government out of office. He did not escape censure at the hands of the Royal Commissioner appointed by Premier Hepburn.
By the end of the hearing, Maxwell had decided to resign after a decade of a very hand on style of management that on more than one occasion “broke” the rules!
However, it is fair to point out that Maxwell had his supporters and reading between the lines, it would also be fair to say that with the passage of time that the respected author of “The Firebirds”, Bruce West was one of them.
During the enquiry, James Lyons, the former Minister of Lands and Forests was asked by Commission counsel for an opinion on how Maxwell had performed his duties. Mr. Lyons curtly replied: “110 per cent efficient!”1
1 Page 183
The appraisal of Maxwell’s supervision of OPAS by the Commissioner Daniel Lang QC, was unflattering and resulted in his departure from a remarkable organization that was essentially his creation.
However, to quote Bruce West; “…. these remarks reflect the views of the cold legal mind and, although they naturally deserve respect, may not do full justice to the rather remarkable personality and character of Roy Maxwell, the dashing and imaginative father of the OPAS.
West goes on to have the reader consider the remarks made some years later by the one person in the Department of Lands and Forests who had frequent and close dealings with him over the decade that Maxwell ran the OPAS. Reg N. Johnson, was the Chief Liason Officer between the Forestry Branch and the Air Service. In 1965 he wrote: “It can be safely concluded that Roy was an excellent promoter, a conscientious co-operator and a competent organizer. In any dealings of which I had personal knowledge, he was generous to a fault insofar as possessions or money were concerned. To the best of my knowledge he was also free from any trace of speculation or major financial dishonesty.”
Johnson goes on to say; “That his pioneer flying organization has persisted and expanded, is mainly due to the basically sound staff and operating principles originated and enforced by the first director… In both these operations, Roy Maxwell was unfailingly co-operative and efficient ….”
Example 1- page 11
During the years 1922 and 1923 the forestry Branch of Lands & Forests of Ontario entered into contracts with Laurentide Air Service, with Headquarters at Grand Mere, PQ to carry out fire patrols in the northern sections of Ontario. The Laurentide Air Service equipment consisted of 15 HS-2L's, and the operation was headed by W. Roy Maxwell, then the managing Director of the firm.
page 20, page 22, page 26, page 28-31, page 33, page 37, page 43, page 47-53, page 56, page 58, page 73-74, page 83-86, page 90, page 95, page 98, page 100-102, page 107-113, page 116, page 118-123, page 125-130, page 132-134, page 137, page 139, page 140, page143-145, page 148-164, page 170, page 181-190, page 196, page 235,
Additional References:
Esprit de Corps page 40
An Appreciation: page 191-192, 196, 235
First Report: page73-74, 83
Base Selection: page 56-60
Expense Accounts: page 23-24
Resignation threatened page 119-120
Resignation LAS: page 25, 137
Roy Maxwell’s management of the OAS came under scrutiny with the change of Government in 1934 that saw Liberal Leader Mitch Hepburn’s and his Liberal Party win the election and turning the long standing Conservative Government out of office. He did not escape censure at the hands of the Royal Commissioner appointed by Premier Hepburn.
By the end of the hearing, Maxwell had decided to resign after a decade of a very hand on style of management that on more than one occasion “broke” the rules!
However, it is fair to point out that Maxwell had his supporters and reading between the lines, it would also be fair to say that with the passage of time that the respected author of “The Firebirds”, Bruce West was one of them.
During the enquiry, James Lyons, the former Minister of Lands and Forests was asked by Commission counsel for an opinion on how Maxwell had performed his duties. Mr. Lyons curtly replied: “110 per cent efficient!”1
1 Page 183
The appraisal of Maxwell’s supervision of OPAS by the Commissioner Daniel Lang QC, was unflattering and resulted in his departure from a remarkable organization that was essentially his creation.
However, to quote Bruce West; “…. these remarks reflect the views of the cold legal mind and, although they naturally deserve respect, may not do full justice to the rather remarkable personality and character of Roy Maxwell, the dashing and imaginative father of the OPAS.
West goes on to have the reader consider the remarks made some years later by the one person in the Department of Lands and Forests who had frequent and close dealings with him over the decade that Maxwell ran the OPAS. Reg N. Johnson, was the Chief Liason Officer between the Forestry Branch and the Air Service. In 1965 he wrote: “It can be safely concluded that Roy was an excellent promoter, a conscientious co-operator and a competent organizer. In any dealings of which I had personal knowledge, he was generous to a fault insofar as possessions or money were concerned. To the best of my knowledge he was also free from any trace of speculation or major financial dishonesty.”
Johnson goes on to say; “That his pioneer flying organization has persisted and expanded, is mainly due to the basically sound staff and operating principles originated and enforced by the first director… In both these operations, Roy Maxwell was unfailingly co-operative and efficient ….”
