Born in Owen Sound, "Billy" Bishop was attending the Royal Military College when war was declared in 1914. He first joined a cavalry unit, but in 1915 transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Courage and marksmanship made him one of the war's greatest fighting pilots, credited officially with the destruction of 72 enemy aircraft. When hostilities ended, he was the youngest lieutenant-colonel of the air force and had won the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. During World War II he became a director of recruiting for the R.C.A.F. with the rank of air marshal.

Location

In Queen's Park, First Avenue West and Eighth Street, Owen Sound

Themes

• People
• War and conflict