I went on a field trip today to find the tombstone of a Canadian WWI ace Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop. He is officially credited with 72 'victories', making him not only Canada's top flying ace of WWI but one of the top flying aces of the war, both sides included! He is also the only known pilot to have had a dogfight with the Red Barron and lived to fly away. Not only that, the Red Barron's plane was severely damaged as a result of the flight and needed significant repairs. For his valour throughout the War he was awarded, among many other medals, the Victoria Cross, the highest award that can be given to Canadian soldiers. Basically, it is the Canadian equivalent of the Medal of Honour (Honor).
He was born and raised in my town and I heard rumours that his grave could be found in a local cemetery with a very modest tombstone. During WWII he was Air Marshal for the Royal Canadian Air Force and died in 1956 shortly after he left service.
After about a two hour search I found it, along with a few other of his family members: https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net...7_10152110933501304_4216388979804357515_n.jpg
The graveyard also contains two other Victoria Cross winners, making it the only graveyard in Canada to contain 3 or more winners of the VC. I was unable to find their tombstones on this trip, but I plan on returning to do so.
He was born and raised in my town and I heard rumours that his grave could be found in a local cemetery with a very modest tombstone. During WWII he was Air Marshal for the Royal Canadian Air Force and died in 1956 shortly after he left service.
After about a two hour search I found it, along with a few other of his family members: https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net...7_10152110933501304_4216388979804357515_n.jpg
The graveyard also contains two other Victoria Cross winners, making it the only graveyard in Canada to contain 3 or more winners of the VC. I was unable to find their tombstones on this trip, but I plan on returning to do so.
