Page 3 - September 9, 2019
P. 3
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 4 MONDAY JUNE 17, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 PAGE 3
Wop May celebrations feature 'The Flying Detective' premiere
by Cassie Kushniruk
September 2, 2019 marked 100 years since
decorated WWI pilot, Wilfrid 'Wop' May, landed
in Edson with Detective James Campbell in what
is recognized as the first aerial police pursuit in Edson Funeral Home
Canada.
Background: —On August 30, 1919,
Constable William Leslie Nixon of the
Edmonton Police force was shot outside of the Foothills Memorial Chapel and Crematorium
Twin City Transfer Company building in A Caring Part of the Caring Group Corp.
Edmonton after questioning a man loitering PO Box 6358, 5040 6th Ave., Edson, AB T7E 1T8
outside. Before he died of his injuries the next
day, Nixon provided a description of the assailant 780-723-3575
who shot him which matched that of John www.foothillsmemorialchapel.com
Larson, a man who had recently been released
from prison after serving for forgery.
After discovering that a man matching Larson's
description had purchased a train ticket to
Our Commitment
Mountain Park just south of Edson, Edmonton
Police Chief George Hill recruited Wop May to Our Commitment
fly Detective James Campbell to Edson.
On September 2, 1919, Wop May landed on
First Avenue in Edson, as the small town with a
Is To You.
population of 800 did not have an airport at the
time. Is To You.
Detective Campbell went on to pursue the
fugitive, who was known to be heading towards
Mountain Park. Larson was arrested at the In light of the centennial of Wop May's historical landing in Edson, Accidental Humour Co. and the Edson
Cadomin Collieries only four days after the & District Historical Society presented 'The Flying Detective' at the Red Brick Arts Centre on August 31
and September 1. Pictured are cast members Neil LeGrandeur as Constable McElroy, William Banfield
shooting. as Wop May, Cody Porter as Detective James Campbell, and Cliff Kelly as John Larson. photo Cassie
Heading back to Edson, Larson managed to Kushniruk Full Service
escape from a gasoline powered speeder, only to
be caught again a couple days later. Funeral Home Offering:
Larson was successfully taken back to
Edmonton, where he was charged with four Traditional Funeral Services,
counts of robbery and one count of murder for Graveside Services and
shooting Constable Nixon.—
After 100 years, Wop May's historical landing Cremation Options with a Crematorium
in Edson, which has shaped Canadian history, on site in Edson.
continues to live on thanks to the Edson & Cemetery Monuments.
District Historical Society (EDHS).
Following the installation of the Wop May We also offer Prearrangement Plans.
exhibit at the Galloway Station Museum, EDHS
President Doug Woodhouse was interested in
celebrating the centennial of Wop May's arrival
to Edson in a 'big way'. This led to EDHS
commissioning Edmonton-based theatrical
production company, Accidental Humour Co., to
create a play to bring this historical event to life.
After 18 months of prepping, practicing, and Following the premier of 'The Flying Detective' on August 31, attendants were invited to the Galloway
perfecting the play, Accidental Humour's debut Station Museum for a gala featuring live music and high-end hors d-oeuvres as a way to say thank the
sponsors and supporters of the play. photo Cassie Kushniruk
of 'The Flying Detective' was performed at the
Red Brick Arts Centre on August 31. for the audience, which also brings them closer Woodhouse was ecstatic to finally see the full
The two-act play followed the century-old tale to relate to those characters.” play and the “end product of everything that
of adventure, bravery, and heroism, expanding Woodhouse added that the group even made a we've worked on”. “I'm over the moon; I'm
Wop May's role beyond that of pilot into few puns of some local legends —such as Jack flying higher than Wop,” he said. PASSPORT PHOTOS & MORE
Detective Campbell's trusted partner who the Frog— in order to tie more local history into The play, of course, would not have been
ultimately aids in the capture of Larsen. the play for attendants to enjoy. possible without the many volunteers,
With a multimedia focus, the play featured pre- In attendance during the play were a few organizations, and businesses who stepped up to
filmed scenes shot in Edmonton and south- relatives of Detective Campbell and Wop May, help in supporting this journey. Woodhouse Professional Digital
central Alberta, depicting transportation scenes including Wop May's son, Denny, who gave the thanked the Town of Edson and Yellowhead Passport System
and backdrops that the actors interacted with in play rave reviews for accurately portraying his County for their support, as well as several local
order to transport the audience further into the father and the historical event. “They made the businesses and volunteers who stepped up to photos ready
play. “Theatre can take you to many places but story really interesting the way they did it,” he help. Woodhouse also gave a huge shout out to
with the multimedia and the way we use it to said. “I was so impressed with the technology the Galloway Station Museum staff who in minutes
take us from place to place…we have all these involved and the amount of work that they did “worked very hard to put all this together for us”. while you wait...
aspects of adventure like travelling that, with the beforehand to get ready for this.” Approximately 140 people were in attendance
multimedia, really helps us tell the story of an Detective Campbell's great-grandson, John for the play's premier on August 31, followed by
adventure and set it in its time,” said Director Campbell, was also impressed by the play, a sold-out show on September 1.
Taylor Chadwick. adding, “The guy that played my great- Following the premier of the play, attendants
Audience members were blown away by the grandfather did a magnificent job. I feel like I got were invited to a gala at the Galloway Station
The Weekly Anchorhe Weekly Anchor
replica Curtiss JN-4 'Canuck' —the plane that to know somebody from my family that I never Museum where they had the opportunity to T
Wop May piloted for the chase —that the cast met.” interact with cast members, meet some of May's
5040 3rd Avenue, Edson040 3rd Avenue, Edson
assembled and disassembled on stage to re-enact Playwright Brent Felzien was satisfied to see and Campbell's relatives, and enjoy an evening 5
the historical flight. the play “on its feet, uncut, in front of people that of high-end hors d-oeuvres (catered by Manna)
Accidental Humour's comedic style perfectly it means most to in terms of Edson as a and live music. “[The gala] is just to thank our
7
paired with the play's historical importance as the community and the family members”. sponsors and our supporters,” said Woodhouse. DROP IN AND SEE!ROP IN AND SEE! 780-723-578780-723-5787
D
group was able to effectively engage audience Director Taylor Chadwick added that it is Woodhouse said, “I think that we don't
members through comical side scenes and witty important to share these types of important celebrate our heroes. Here was a chance for
remarks. “We find that any good story can be a historical stories through different means besides people to learn a little bit about a Canadian hero,
little bit better with a little bit of humor,” said books.“All the people who see the show this who actually is tied to our local history. It's good
actor William Banfield, who portrayed Wop May. weekend will remember this story because of the to get our heroes out front.”
“The humor can break up the serious moments way this play was presented,” he said.
PAGE 4 MONDAY JUNE 17, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 PAGE 3
Wop May celebrations feature 'The Flying Detective' premiere
by Cassie Kushniruk
September 2, 2019 marked 100 years since
decorated WWI pilot, Wilfrid 'Wop' May, landed
in Edson with Detective James Campbell in what
is recognized as the first aerial police pursuit in Edson Funeral Home
Canada.
Background: —On August 30, 1919,
Constable William Leslie Nixon of the
Edmonton Police force was shot outside of the Foothills Memorial Chapel and Crematorium
Twin City Transfer Company building in A Caring Part of the Caring Group Corp.
Edmonton after questioning a man loitering PO Box 6358, 5040 6th Ave., Edson, AB T7E 1T8
outside. Before he died of his injuries the next
day, Nixon provided a description of the assailant 780-723-3575
who shot him which matched that of John www.foothillsmemorialchapel.com
Larson, a man who had recently been released
from prison after serving for forgery.
After discovering that a man matching Larson's
description had purchased a train ticket to
Our Commitment
Mountain Park just south of Edson, Edmonton
Police Chief George Hill recruited Wop May to Our Commitment
fly Detective James Campbell to Edson.
On September 2, 1919, Wop May landed on
First Avenue in Edson, as the small town with a
Is To You.
population of 800 did not have an airport at the
time. Is To You.
Detective Campbell went on to pursue the
fugitive, who was known to be heading towards
Mountain Park. Larson was arrested at the In light of the centennial of Wop May's historical landing in Edson, Accidental Humour Co. and the Edson
Cadomin Collieries only four days after the & District Historical Society presented 'The Flying Detective' at the Red Brick Arts Centre on August 31
and September 1. Pictured are cast members Neil LeGrandeur as Constable McElroy, William Banfield
shooting. as Wop May, Cody Porter as Detective James Campbell, and Cliff Kelly as John Larson. photo Cassie
Heading back to Edson, Larson managed to Kushniruk Full Service
escape from a gasoline powered speeder, only to
be caught again a couple days later. Funeral Home Offering:
Larson was successfully taken back to
Edmonton, where he was charged with four Traditional Funeral Services,
counts of robbery and one count of murder for Graveside Services and
shooting Constable Nixon.—
After 100 years, Wop May's historical landing Cremation Options with a Crematorium
in Edson, which has shaped Canadian history, on site in Edson.
continues to live on thanks to the Edson & Cemetery Monuments.
District Historical Society (EDHS).
Following the installation of the Wop May We also offer Prearrangement Plans.
exhibit at the Galloway Station Museum, EDHS
President Doug Woodhouse was interested in
celebrating the centennial of Wop May's arrival
to Edson in a 'big way'. This led to EDHS
commissioning Edmonton-based theatrical
production company, Accidental Humour Co., to
create a play to bring this historical event to life.
After 18 months of prepping, practicing, and Following the premier of 'The Flying Detective' on August 31, attendants were invited to the Galloway
perfecting the play, Accidental Humour's debut Station Museum for a gala featuring live music and high-end hors d-oeuvres as a way to say thank the
sponsors and supporters of the play. photo Cassie Kushniruk
of 'The Flying Detective' was performed at the
Red Brick Arts Centre on August 31. for the audience, which also brings them closer Woodhouse was ecstatic to finally see the full
The two-act play followed the century-old tale to relate to those characters.” play and the “end product of everything that
of adventure, bravery, and heroism, expanding Woodhouse added that the group even made a we've worked on”. “I'm over the moon; I'm
Wop May's role beyond that of pilot into few puns of some local legends —such as Jack flying higher than Wop,” he said. PASSPORT PHOTOS & MORE
Detective Campbell's trusted partner who the Frog— in order to tie more local history into The play, of course, would not have been
ultimately aids in the capture of Larsen. the play for attendants to enjoy. possible without the many volunteers,
With a multimedia focus, the play featured pre- In attendance during the play were a few organizations, and businesses who stepped up to
filmed scenes shot in Edmonton and south- relatives of Detective Campbell and Wop May, help in supporting this journey. Woodhouse Professional Digital
central Alberta, depicting transportation scenes including Wop May's son, Denny, who gave the thanked the Town of Edson and Yellowhead Passport System
and backdrops that the actors interacted with in play rave reviews for accurately portraying his County for their support, as well as several local
order to transport the audience further into the father and the historical event. “They made the businesses and volunteers who stepped up to photos ready
play. “Theatre can take you to many places but story really interesting the way they did it,” he help. Woodhouse also gave a huge shout out to
with the multimedia and the way we use it to said. “I was so impressed with the technology the Galloway Station Museum staff who in minutes
take us from place to place…we have all these involved and the amount of work that they did “worked very hard to put all this together for us”. while you wait...
aspects of adventure like travelling that, with the beforehand to get ready for this.” Approximately 140 people were in attendance
multimedia, really helps us tell the story of an Detective Campbell's great-grandson, John for the play's premier on August 31, followed by
adventure and set it in its time,” said Director Campbell, was also impressed by the play, a sold-out show on September 1.
Taylor Chadwick. adding, “The guy that played my great- Following the premier of the play, attendants
Audience members were blown away by the grandfather did a magnificent job. I feel like I got were invited to a gala at the Galloway Station
The Weekly Anchorhe Weekly Anchor
replica Curtiss JN-4 'Canuck' —the plane that to know somebody from my family that I never Museum where they had the opportunity to T
Wop May piloted for the chase —that the cast met.” interact with cast members, meet some of May's
5040 3rd Avenue, Edson040 3rd Avenue, Edson
assembled and disassembled on stage to re-enact Playwright Brent Felzien was satisfied to see and Campbell's relatives, and enjoy an evening 5
the historical flight. the play “on its feet, uncut, in front of people that of high-end hors d-oeuvres (catered by Manna)
Accidental Humour's comedic style perfectly it means most to in terms of Edson as a and live music. “[The gala] is just to thank our
7
paired with the play's historical importance as the community and the family members”. sponsors and our supporters,” said Woodhouse. DROP IN AND SEE!ROP IN AND SEE! 780-723-578780-723-5787
D
group was able to effectively engage audience Director Taylor Chadwick added that it is Woodhouse said, “I think that we don't
members through comical side scenes and witty important to share these types of important celebrate our heroes. Here was a chance for
remarks. “We find that any good story can be a historical stories through different means besides people to learn a little bit about a Canadian hero,
little bit better with a little bit of humor,” said books.“All the people who see the show this who actually is tied to our local history. It's good
actor William Banfield, who portrayed Wop May. weekend will remember this story because of the to get our heroes out front.”
“The humor can break up the serious moments way this play was presented,” he said.
