The Stuart Graham collection, held by the Canada Aviation Museum, documents Graham’s experiences as a pilot and the evolution of Canadian aviation. The collection contains photographs, scrapbooks, logbooks and other unique materials. Graham (1896 – 1976) began his flying career during the First World War when he piloted seaplanes for the British Royal Naval Air Service. Upon his return to Canada Graham was hired by the Laurentide Company of Grand’Mère, Quebec, a pulp and paper mill. He flew two war surplus Curtiss HS-2L flying boats, patrolling for forest fires and surveying logging terrain. Graham was the first bush pilot in Canadian history. Following his employment with the Laurentide Company and other firms, Graham joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1926 where he tested aircraft and utilized aerial photography in surveying efforts. In 1928, Graham became the first Federal Air Services District Inspector for Eastern Canada. His duties involved testing pilots, investigating air accidents and searching for lost airmen. During the Second World War Graham designed airfields across Canada for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Canada had ideal environmental conditions to train pilots, which led to an agreement between the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada to build flight schools across the country. The training of skilled British-Commonwealth pilots became one of Canada’s major contributions to the Second World War. Until his retirement in 1963, Graham was an important figure at the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization, an international agency that regulates standards and procedures for civil aviation. In 2001, Graham’s involvement in Canadian aviation was rewarded with his induction into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

Sandra Jensen