Royden Foley Collection
b. June 07, 1891, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
d. March 1953, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Royden Foley was born on June 7th, 1891, in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Foley was the son of James and Charlotte Foley (nee. Strang) and the oldest of five children. At a young age, Foley worked for the family pottery business.
Growing up, Foley excelled in his studies. His peers described him as “a young man of sound morals, temperate in speech and action, and worthy of any trust placed in him”. After graduating from St. John High School, Foley acquired his pilot's certificate from the Aero Club of America on November 11, 1911. This was a social club for those with an interest in Aviation. In 1913, Foley applied to Pratt Institute of Technology in Brooklyn, New York, and was accepted into a two-year Mechanical Engineering program in Steam and Machine Design . During his time in New York, Foley developed an interest in early aircraft technology. He travelled to Minneola Field on Long Island, where he began working for the Wright Brothers. There, Foley worked as a part-time mechanic and test pilot. Foley made aviation history in 1913 by becoming the first pilot to fly an aircraft from New York to Philadelphia, a travel distance of 130 kilometres. After graduating from Pratt in 1915, Foley continued working as a flight instructor and test pilot for the Wright Brothers, flying their Model B aircraft. Foley also flew as a pilot for the Sloan Biplane for the Aeromarine Corporation and the Nieuport Monoplane in 1916.
On May 11, 1917, Foley enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C), the predecessor of the Royal Air Force (R.A.F). He began his cadet pilot program at the Beamsville Camp in Ontario, where he was trained on the Curtiss JN4-A “Jenny,” a twin-seat dual control biplane. Foley completed his time at the R.F.C and was discharged on January 4th, 1918. He was stationed at No. 241 Squadron in England. He conducted maritime patrols, provided convoy support, and conducted naval reconnaissance in the North Sea against German U-Boats. Foley's total wartime flight time was 360 hours. After the War ended, while stationed in England, Foley met Minna Kathleen Owbridge and married her in 1919. Foley continued his patrolling duties until 3rd May 1919, as a Second Lieutenant in the R.A.F. 251 Squadron. Foley was granted an honourable discharge with the rank of lieutenant in 1920. Foley returned to Canada , and he worked for the Ford Motor Company in his hometown of St. John's, NB, until 1925. Foley then moved to Hamilton, Ontario, where he joined the Royal Canadian Auxiliary Air Force and became a member of the 19th (now 119th) Bomber Squadron.
Royden had an exemplary amount of experience and professionalism assisting in the Second World War in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Royden got his Canadian pilots license No.91 in 1928 and continued flying by acquiring the De Havilland franchise for North America. Which was a limited Canadian aerospace manufacturer known for producing iconic utility and regional turboprop aircrafts. Later he sold the franchise then acquiring the Avro Franchise. He acquired on of their "Avion" models which was one of the first to make its company name public. He embarked on selling them while owning a Dodge-Chrysler Agency in Galt, then residing in Hamilton. In 1932 he gained rights to and offered for sale what was called the Gadfly Monoplane, which was a 2-seater, open cockpit light aircraft. He continued to work in the 1930s toget the 199 Bomber Squadron established at the Foote Armory on James Street North and held the position called, "2IC" with the squadron for several years. He opened the RCAF enlistment depot in Windsor in the late 30s. Then, was promoted from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader and transferred to London, supervising the training of Navigators and Radio Operators for the RCAF bomber command in the South-West part of the province.
In 1939, he was made Wing Commander and held that post in London until the end of the war. Royden can also be known for stationing and working at the RCAF Camp Borden, being for summer practice and training.
He has further experience touring the United Kingdom assisting with operational units working alongside investigators and instructors at bombing and gunnery schools from Canada's aviation scholars.
In the early 1940s Roy had connections with "Good Year Tires", being one of the largest tire company brands today. He then left the RCAF in 1946 and enjoyed his retirement in Hamilton, Ontario. He would then participate in Barbershop singing, model train repairs in a home workshop, and he loved his fast boats and fast cars, still keeping the love for fast transportation alive. Roy, along with some brothers had built a speed boat and entered it in the Power Boat Club speed event at Crystal Beach in 1953.
After such a memorable life, with great contribution within the RCAF and First and Second World Wars, Royden Foley sadly passed away at the age of 64 from heart failure. He left behind his wife, Kathleen Foley who accepted awards on his behalf. The awards being, the "Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp" and the "War Medal" 1939-44, which was signed by the Director of the War Service Records, H.M Jackson. He was survived by his son, Paul along with his 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
