Russell L. "Ginger" Coote
Ginger Coote | |
|---|---|
| Born | Russell Leslie Coote 17 June 1899 Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died | 10 January 1970 Essondale, British Columbia, Canada |
| Citizenship | Canada |
| Occupation | Bush pilot |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Georgina Eliza Chadsey, Verna Gertrude Lambeth |
| Awards | British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Russell L. "Ginger" Coote (1898-1970) was a Canadian bush pilot, owner of Ginger Coote Airways, and served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I.
Early life
Russell (sometimes seen as Russel or R.L.) Leslie "Ginger" Coote was born June 17, 1899,[1] in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada to Andrew Leslie Coote (1869-1965) and Fanny (Kirby) Coote (1869-1961).[2] Known mostly as "Ginger" for his red hair, he was one of five children.
World War I military service
In 1912, Coote joined the Chilliwack Company of the 104th Regiment as a bugler. He was mobilized in the same role in 1914. He then joined the 47th Westminster Regiment of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, also as a bugler. Coote trained in New Westminster, Vermont and England and was recognized for best shot in the regiment. At the age of 15, he was sent to France as a sniper. Coote served in the Westminster Regiment as a Captain.[3] Later commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1917, Coote was injured at least once during his service.[4] He also served in Belgium. Known dates of service include August 11, 1916, to April 16, 1917, and August 8–23, 1917. He later transferred to the Royal Air Corps,[5] where he earned his wings[6] and did patrol work. Coote earned the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.[3]
Personal life and career
Post-war, he returned to Chilliwack and initially worked as a farmer on his family farm. However, he sold it sometime in the 1920s and bought his first aircraft. In 1929 he obtained his private pilot license and flew for Wells Air Transport.[7] In 1933 he became part-owner of Bridge River & Caribou Airways. In 1935, Coote and his father became co-directors of the airline after buying out the others.[8] In 1938, Coote renamed the airline to Ginger Coote Airways. He later sold the airline in 1940, although he continued to work in aviation. Coote was known for making frequent mercy flights.[9][10][11]
Also in 1940, he was appointed flying instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was posted to Air Observer School based at Edmonton, Alberta. He was inducted into the British Columbia Aviation Hall of Fame and his name is featured on a wall of fame at Vancouver International Airport.[2]
Other endeavors Coote engaged in include flying an Alexander Eaglerock aircraft in a 1931 air show that heralded the opening of the Chilliwack Airport[12] as well as piloting the first air mail from Vancouver to the Yukon in 1938.[13] He also helped found the Chilliwack Flying Club.[14][15] In 1946, Coote returned to his farming roots and started a pig farm in Chilliwack.[16]
On September 20, 1921, Coote married his first wife, Helen Georgina Eliza Chadsey (1896-1983),[17] although the couple later divorced. They had one daughter, Jocelyn Hilda Coote (1923-1973). On June 28, 1939, He married his second wife, Verna Gertrude Lambeth (née Cruickshank) Foster (1897-1987). The couple divorced in 1943.
Coote died on January 10, 1970, in Essondale, British Columbia after an extended illness. He was survived by his third wife, Molly; his daughter, Jocelyn and a brother, Ian.[18]
References
- ^ "Canada, World War I CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918 for Russel Leslie Coote". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ a b "Every Name a Story: R.L. Coote". North East War Memorials Project. 2024. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ a b Library and Archives Canada (1927). "Canada, Militia and Defence Force Lists, 1863-1939". Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ Vancouver Daily World (Aug 30, 1917). "Chilliwack Boy Wounded". Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Library and Archives Canada. "Canada, Ledgers of CEF Officers Transferring to Royal Flying Corps, 1915-1919 for Russell Leslie Coote". Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ "BC Aviation Hall of Fame". www.bcaviation.com. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ Encyclopedia of British Columbia. Internet Archive. Madeira Park, BC : Harbour Pub. 2000. ISBN 978-1-55017-200-3.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "1383". www.thenetletter.net. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ The Vancouver Sun (Oct 4, 1937). "Starving Youth Tramps Miles Through Bush to Bring Aid..." Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ "BC Aviation Hall of Fame". www.bcaviation.com. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ The Vancouver Sun (Mar 11, 1938). "'Ginger' Coote on Second Mercy Flight at Zeballos". Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ The Province (June 4, 1931). "Big Formation Flight Marks Opening of Airport". Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Quesnel Cariboo Observer (February 4, 1970). "Veteran Cariboo Pilot's Hey-Days Recalled". Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "R.L. Coote 1914-18 (1970) - NEWMP". Retrieved 2025-05-15.
- ^ Lawrence, Barb; Robb, Judy (1987). Where Eagles Flew: An Early History of the Chilliwack Flying Club. Fraser Valley Custom Printers.
- ^ The Chilliwack Progress (April 10, 1946). "Change of Air; Ginger Coote Starts Piggery". Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ The Vancouver Sun (Sep 21, 1921). "Weddings: Coote - Chadsey". Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ The Vancouver Sun (January 14, 1970). "Funeral service set for B.C. Air Pioneer". Retrieved May 4, 2025.
External links
- Ginger Coote with leading aircraftsman at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives
- R.L. Coote at the BC Archives