Dates

• Existence: 1894 - 1956

Biography

William "Billy" Avery Bishop was born on February 8, 1894 in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada to William and Margaret Bishop. He attended the Royal Military College before joining the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles in 1915. Bishop soon transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) where he was first assigned as a observer-gunner. After just a few months, Bishop applied for training as a pilot and in November 1916, he was assigned to the No. 37 Squadron of the RFC in Essex, England.

Again, after just a few months, Bishop applied for a transfer to France and on March 17, 1917 he was assigned to the No. 60 Squadron near Arras, France. On April 8, 1917, Bishop achieved ace status with his fifth victory, a scant three weeks after his arrival. In April, he claimed 12 victories winning the Military Cross and a promotion to captain for his participation in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. In May 1917, Bishop won the Distinguished Service Order for shooting down two aircraft while being attacked by four others. Early in June 1917, Bishop flew a solo mission behind enemy lines to attack a German-held aerodrome, claiming he shot down three aircraft that were taking off to attack him and also destroying several more on the ground. For this feat, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

After the Armistice was announced, Bishop was discharged on December 31, 1918 and returned to Canada. By the war's end, Bishop had claimed slightly more than 70 victories. After World War I, Bishop toured and lectured on aerial warfare. Billy Bishop died in his sleep on September 11, 1956.

Sources and Further Reading:

Bishop, William Arthur. The Courage of the Early Morning: a frank biography of Billy Bishop, the great ace of World War I. New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1966.

Bishop, William Avery. Winged Warfare: hunting the Huns in the air. New York : Hodder and Stoughton, 1918.

Cosgrove, Edmund. Canada's Fighting Pilots.Toronto, Vancouver, Canada: Clarke, Irwin & Company, Ltd., 1965.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: