Billy Bishop Research Paper

William Avery Bishop, byname Billy Bishop, born in February 1894 in Owen Sound, began as a cadet at the Royal Military College in Kingston in 1911. As the First World War broke out he enlisted and was sent as an officer to England. In September 1915, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was sent to France (“William Avery Bishop”). The following year, he successfully completed pilot training and, in 1917, he joined 60 Squadron at the front lines in France. He soon became a successful Ace Fighter Pilot (Greenhous). In March 1918, he was then promoted to the commander of the No. 85 Squadron and only four months later he became a lieutenant colonel. In this function, he joined the staff of the British Air Ministry and helped to form the Royal Canadian Air Force (“William Avery Bishop”). After the war, he retired from the Royal Air Force and returned to Canada with his wife, where
He also describes the events of 2 June 1917; his most famous exploit for which he is later awarded the Victoria Cross. “According to Bishop, he flew across enemy lines and attacked a German aerodrome, shooting down three German planes. He managed to make his way back to his squadron by flying directly under four enemy airplanes” (Greenhous). This led to a controversial discussion, even decades later. There are historians claiming that Bishop exaggerated, maybe even lied about the events on 2 June. Others argue against. Since lots of historical evidence has been destroyed it is not possible to confirm all of Bishop’s combat claims. At the end of his life, Bishop admitted that he has improved some of his accomplishment in his publications (Greenhous). “Whether or not his combat claims were exaggerated, his daring and his success were an inspiration during the First World War. For many, he was — and is — a Canadian hero”