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William Avery “Billy” Bishop

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William Avery “Billy” Bishop Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Owen Sound, Grey County, Ontario, Canada
Death
11 Sep 1956 (aged 62)
West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA
Burial
Owen Sound, Grey County, Ontario, Canada GPS-Latitude: 44.5478222, Longitude: -80.94185
Memorial ID
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Canadian World War I Flying Ace. He is credited with 72 victories, and earned the Victoria Cross (Britain's highest award). At the beginning of World War I, he joined the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles, serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In December 1915, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and received his pilot's certificate in 1917. Many considered him a mediocre pilot, but his extraordinary eyesight and shooting skill made him an expert shot. As the Commander of the "Flying Foxes" he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after scoring 25 victories in just 12 days. On the morning of June 2, 1917, he single-handedly attacked a German aerodrome on the Arras front, destroying 7 airplanes on the ground and shooting an additional 4 airplanes down, before having to break contact due to lack of ammunition. For this action, he was awarded the Victorian Cross. He was also awarded a Military Cross, and the Distinguished Service Order (2 awards). In 1918, he wrote a book "Winged Warfare" which detailed his exploits in the air. Bishop was also the brother-in-law of Canadian air ace Henry Burden.
Canadian World War I Flying Ace. He is credited with 72 victories, and earned the Victoria Cross (Britain's highest award). At the beginning of World War I, he joined the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles, serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In December 1915, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and received his pilot's certificate in 1917. Many considered him a mediocre pilot, but his extraordinary eyesight and shooting skill made him an expert shot. As the Commander of the "Flying Foxes" he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after scoring 25 victories in just 12 days. On the morning of June 2, 1917, he single-handedly attacked a German aerodrome on the Arras front, destroying 7 airplanes on the ground and shooting an additional 4 airplanes down, before having to break contact due to lack of ammunition. For this action, he was awarded the Victorian Cross. He was also awarded a Military Cross, and the Distinguished Service Order (2 awards). In 1918, he wrote a book "Winged Warfare" which detailed his exploits in the air. Bishop was also the brother-in-law of Canadian air ace Henry Burden.

Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: Jul 8, 2000
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10460/william_avery-bishop: accessed ), memorial page for William Avery “Billy” Bishop (8 Feb 1894–11 Sep 1956), Find a Grave Memorial ID 10460, citing Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound, Grey County, Ontario, Canada; Maintained by Find a Grave.