Bishop, Air Marshal William Avery National Historic Person
Owen Sound, Ontario
Captain William A. Bishop, V.C.
© William Rider-Rider / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada // ministère de la Défense nationale / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / PA-001651
Address :
948 3rd Avenue West, Owen Sound, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1981-01-15
Life Date:
1894 to 1956
Other Name(s):
-
Bishop, Air Marshal William Avery
(Designation Name)
-
William Avery "Billy" Bishop
(Other Name)
-
Air Marshal William Avery Bishop, V.C.
(Other Name)
Importance:
World War I flying ace, awarded Victoria Cross
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 948 3rd Avenue West, Owen Sound, Ontario
Billy Bishop won renown as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I by shooting down at least 72 enemy aircraft and leading other daring missions against the enemy. For these exploits he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the D.S.O. and other medals for bravery, becoming Canada's most decorated serviceman. Born in Owen Sound, he was educated here and at Royal Military College, Kingston. His later life was spent largely in England and Montreal. During part of World War II he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa as an honorary Air Marshal.