Air Marshal William Avery Bishop

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.

Billy Bishop est né à Owen Sound et a étudié au Royal Military College de Kingston. Pilote émérite du Royal Flying Corps et de la Royal Air Force durant la Première Guerre mondiale, Bishop a abattu 72 avions et a dirigé des missions périlleuses. Pour ses nombreux exploits, il fut le militaire le plus décoré au Canada: croix de Victoria, ordre du service distingué, et autres médailles pour bravoure. Il passa la dernière partie de sa vie surtout en Angleterre et à Montréal. Durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, il servit à Ottawa dans l’Aviation royale du Canada à titre de maréchal honoraire.