William Munroe Archibald
Encyclopedia
William Munroe Archibald (February 23, 1876 – November 10, 1949) was a pioneering Canadian
aviator
.
, Montreal
, where he graduated in 1897 with an engineering degree. Following extensive experience in various mining camps he joined the staff at Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company at Trail, British Columbia in 1911 to investigate mining properties.
As general manager of mines for the company in 1928, he determined that aircraft could be used to great advantage in mining exploration. During the following year, at age 53, he purchased an aircraft from de Havilland Aircraft Company at Toronto and learned to fly at that company's school. He then organized Cominco Flying Service at Creston, British Columbia
, as the company's pilot training school and staffed it with First World War aviators to train young company engineers to flying licence standards.
In his early days with Cominco, he lived at Rossland, British Columbia
, but then moved to Creston. He commuted to work almost daily by air from Creston, a road distance of 150 miles, but less than half that in his aircraft. He made the first recorded flight into the interior of British Columbia in 1929, and in 1931 completed a coast-to-coast flight of Canada in a wheeled aircraft.
The peak period for Cominco's use of aircraft under his supervision was reached the following year when ten aircraft were in use almost daily.
Archibald inaugurated the first air route to Stewart, British Columbia
and to Ketchikan, Alaska
in 1935 and his numerous cross Canada flights earned him the title of "Canada's Flying Businessman".
The McKee Trophy for service to Canadian aviation during 1935 was awarded to Archibald and he went on to become known as the "Father of the Yellowknife Gold Fields".
He retired from Cominco in 1938 to become a senior mining consultant.
.
He died at Toronto
, Ontario
on November 10, 1949.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
.
Early years
He was educated at McGill UniversityMcGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where he graduated in 1897 with an engineering degree. Following extensive experience in various mining camps he joined the staff at Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company at Trail, British Columbia in 1911 to investigate mining properties.
As general manager of mines for the company in 1928, he determined that aircraft could be used to great advantage in mining exploration. During the following year, at age 53, he purchased an aircraft from de Havilland Aircraft Company at Toronto and learned to fly at that company's school. He then organized Cominco Flying Service at Creston, British Columbia
Creston, British Columbia
Creston is a town of 4,826 people in the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The town is located just a few kilometers north of the Porthill, Idaho border crossing into the United States and about a three-hour drive north from Spokane, Washington. It is about a one-hour drive...
, as the company's pilot training school and staffed it with First World War aviators to train young company engineers to flying licence standards.
In his early days with Cominco, he lived at Rossland, British Columbia
Rossland, British Columbia
Rossland is a city in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia.Tucked high in the Monashee Mountains, Rossland is at an elevation of 1023 metres . Population today is approximately 3500; a number that fluctuates from season to season. The population is at its peak during the winter...
, but then moved to Creston. He commuted to work almost daily by air from Creston, a road distance of 150 miles, but less than half that in his aircraft. He made the first recorded flight into the interior of British Columbia in 1929, and in 1931 completed a coast-to-coast flight of Canada in a wheeled aircraft.
The peak period for Cominco's use of aircraft under his supervision was reached the following year when ten aircraft were in use almost daily.
Archibald inaugurated the first air route to Stewart, British Columbia
Stewart, British Columbia
Stewart is a small town, incorporated as a district municipality at the head of the Portland Canal in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. In 2006, its population was about 496.-History:...
and to Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is a city in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, United States, the southeasternmost sizable city in that state. With an estimated population of 7,368 in 2010 within the city limits, it is the fifth most populous city in the state....
in 1935 and his numerous cross Canada flights earned him the title of "Canada's Flying Businessman".
The McKee Trophy for service to Canadian aviation during 1935 was awarded to Archibald and he went on to become known as the "Father of the Yellowknife Gold Fields".
He retired from Cominco in 1938 to become a senior mining consultant.
Second World War
During the Second World War he served as a government liaison in CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
He died at Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on November 10, 1949.
Honours and legacy
- Trans-Canada (McKee) TrophyTrans-Canada TrophyThe Trans-Canada Trophy, also known as the McKee Trophy, is awarded by the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute to a Canadian citizen who has made an outstanding, contemporary achievement in aerospace operations, whether a single act within the year prior to the award or a sustained level of...
(1935) - Canada's Aviation Hall of FameCanada's Aviation Hall of FameCanada's Aviation Hall of Fame, based in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, commemorates and honours those whose accomplishments in aviation contributed so much to Canada's development as a nation...
(1974)