Robert “Bob” Maxwell was just 20 years old when he decided to change his life by volunteering for service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957. What prompted him to make that choice is still a mystery.

“To this day, I couldn’t tell you why I ended up going to the air force and writing the exams,” he explains. Nevertheless, the native of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has no regrets about the path he chose.

For Maxwell, basic training was in St-Jean, Québec, with an incoming class that included a few other recruits from the Maritimes.

“I didn’t feel alone. There’s security in numbers. They were from my home province so we chummed together over the Christmas period.”

As the only Black recruit, the transition to military life could have been quite difficult, especially at a time when there was so little diversity and inclusivity in the ranks, but Maxwell fit in easily.

“I had no problems at all. I was treated very well, from instructors to the people I roomed with. Very few times was race an issue, and when it was, it was solved right away.”

After his initial training, Maxwell was offered the trade of Firefighter/Crash Rescue. This turned out to be the profession he wanted to pursue and was the foundation for his successful career in the Canadian Armed Forces.

We were flying a lot of aircraft at the time so we had to learn how to save the pilots if, god forbid, they would crash.

As an Aircraftman AC2 second class, Maxwell was sent on contact training, where he learned the ins and outs of crash rescue. “We were flying a lot of aircraft at the time so we had to learn how to save the pilots if, god forbid, they would crash.”

Asked if he ever had to put this training to the test, Maxwell recalls the crash of an F-86 Sabre jet the week he reported to RCAF Station Macdonald in Manitoba.

“I was able to see what firefighters do at the crash scene. Unfortunately, we couldn’t save the pilot.”

Postings came quickly after Maxwell completed his basic firefighting training at the Firefighting School at Camp Borden. From Claresholm, Alberta, to Centralia, Ontario, to Greenwood, Nova Scotia. During this time, he furthered his education through courses offered by the RCAF and the Ontario Department of Education.

Finally, in recognition of his potential and after having served 10 years, he was offered a commission from the ranks to Flying Officer in 1967.

As a commissioned officer, Maxwell would eventually serve as the Canadian Forces Fire Marshal; Assistant Fire Marshal Maritime Command; Fire Chief CFB Bagotville; Officer in Charge Personnel Careers Other Ranks; and Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Firefighting School in Camp Borden.

Long-retired now, Maxwell is committed to his community as a proud Lion, Mason and volunteer at his Baptist Church.

If there is one thing that I hope I’ve done, it is to show young Black people that the military is absolutely a good way to serve your country.

For his life-long contribution to his country and community, he is the proud recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal.

Looking back on his career now, Maxwell’s reflections are less about the work he did and more about what his service might have meant to others.

“If there is one thing that I hope I’ve done, it is to show young Black people that the military is absolutely a good way to serve your country. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would certainly hope that I have inspired others to join the military, particularly the Black kids.”

With courage, integrity and loyalty, Bob Maxwell has left his mark. He is one of our Canadian Veterans. Discover more stories.