Billy Bishop

written by: David Liebricht

“Billy” Bishop, Flying Ace

William Avery “Billy” Bishop was born on February 8th, 1894 in Owen Sound, Ontario.

A total of 72 victories earned him the title of top Canadian Ace in WWI. Amongst allied pilots in the First World War, Billy Bishop also was one of the most decorated. His pin-point precision with guns, along with unmatched flight dexterity gave him the name “Hells Madg” or Hell’s Handmaiden by the German soldiers.

Bishop first served overseas as a ground soldier, but the terrible weather and grime made him doubt his position in the army.

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It wasn’t until July 1915 that Bishop observed a Royal Flying Corps aircraft and thought “…it’s clean up there!” In mid 1916, Billy Bishop received his wings and on March 17, 1917 was sent near Arras to join the 60 Squadron at Filescamp Farm and fly the Nieuport 17.

His bumpy road to learn the ropes on how be successful in the air was short travelled. After being ordered to return to flight school, Bishop was sent out on one last mission near St Leger, where he shot down and badly wounded a German Lieutenant.

After crash landing in No Mans land 300 yards from German front lines, Billy Bishop was congratulated, and the order to return to flight school was dismissed.

Bishop eventually took to “lone-wolf” missions stretching deep into enemy territory, thus his Ace status came quickly. In April alone he claimed 12 aircrafts, and along with his participation in the Battle at Vimy Ridge, he was promoted to Captain and received the Military Cross.

On June 20, 1917, he flew a lone mission into enemy territory, destroying a German airfield along with planes on the ground trying to take off. For this Bishop was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy”. In August of 1917, Billy Bishop temporarily became the third highest scoring Ace in World War I.

After the First World War Bishop took a job as a passenger air serviceman, which was only short-lived.

In 1938 Bishop was made an Honorary Air Marshal in the RCAF and helped the WWII war effort by being a recruiter.

During his time as a pilot, he wrote an autobiography titled “Winged Warfare”. He also appeared in a Hollywood movie film “Captains of the Clouds” as himself.

William Avery Bishop died on September 11, 1956 as Lieutenant-Colonel, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in his hometown.

He will forever be remembered as a brave soldier of war, and a daring pilot.