Canadian Aviatrix #40 – Margaret Clements (1902-1960)

Margaret Adelle Clements was born on 24 April 1902 in Belleisle Creek, New Brunswick, to Robert William James Clements (Methodist Clergyman) and Laura Jane Hayes.

According Shirley Render, Margaret originally enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan’s Faculty of Pharmacy, but dropped out after her first year as she couldn’t get a summer apprenticeship. Apparently, druggists only wanted strong men, mainly for carrying bootlegged liquor, so Margaret so switched to nursing.

Margaret attended the University of Alberta, then in 1926, graduated from St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver. She joined the staff of the Weyburn Mental Hospital (listed there in the 1931 census), then moved to New Westminster to become matron of the Hollywood Sanitarium. She also became secretary of the New Westminster Soroptimist Club.

On 9 October 1934, Margaret passed her flying test and received her PPL, making her the 40th female pilot in Canada. She was 32 years old.

Photo: The Leader Post (August 13, 1934)

When war was declared, she tried to join the RCAF, then joined the Army instead. By 1942, she was Lieutenant and by 1943, Captain. She trained in Britain with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, then was posted to the Longue Pointe Ordinance Depot. By 1945, she had attained the rank of Major.

Margaret died in 1960, aged 58.