William Bishop

Web of Billy Bishop (I made it)

My name is Spencer and my Canadian hero is William “Billy” Avery Bishop. He was born February 8, 1894 in Owen Sound Ontario. Bishop grew up in Owen Sound Ontario. Billy Bishop had two siblings. His brother was named Worth and his sister was named Louie. Billy’s father, Will Bishop, was a lawyer. His mother was named Margaret Louise. When he was young, Billy had no idea what to do with his life. He liked swimming, riding and shooting, and liked the company of girls but he didn’t like school.

Billy Bishop in his Plane (I made it)

Billy Bishop’s life was admirable in many ways. He shot down 72 planes in World War One and he got up to the rank of Air Marshal. He stood up to bullies and didn’t let them push him around. Billy’s most helpful quality was patience. Billy Bishop was so patient that he stalked his targets from miles until he had the element of height or surprise. Billy Bishop was also a risk taker because one morning in June of 1918 he came across a German airfield and shot down three out of seven fighters. Later in the war he received the Victoria Cross. Some people say that you can judge someone’s quality by the enemies they make. The trait that got Billy Bishop in the most trouble was that people thought that he was too boastful about his claims. People thought that Billy Bishop was lying about the claims that he made. I think that he was telling the truth and that people should not say that about Billy Bishop. After he made a claim, a reconnaissance flight confirmed his claims. Billy Bishop did not have a strong mentor or parent in his life and he made two big mistakes in school. During school hours he would go to the swimming pool to practice. If I were Bishop I would have gone to school and then practiced after school. The second mistake was that in his third year at the RMC he was caught cheating on final exams. If I were Bishop I would have studied hard for a few nights and then hoped for the best on the exams. Some important lessons that I learned were: to not go somewhere during school hours and don’t cheat on exams. Bishop did not follow rules in school and failed.

Billy Bishop's Plane (I Made It)

Billy Bishop received 16 metals in total. They were: The Victoria Cross, The Companion of the Order of the Bath, The Military Cross, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal, The Victory Medal with Mentioned in Dispatches Emblem, The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, The 1939-1945 War Medal, The George V Jubilee Medal, The George VI Coronation Medal, The Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, The Efficiency Decoration, Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, The Croix de Guerre avec Palmes.

After the war Billy Bishop lived in Canada. William Avery Bishop died September 11, 1956, peacefully in his sleep at the age of 62 in Palm Beach, Florida while he was on holidays. Billy Bishop does not have family members still alive. Billy Bishop is a hero to me because not only did he fight in World War One but he didn’t seek glory. Even though Billy Bishop did not try his hardest in school, he became successful when he found something that he liked to do and worked hard at it. Billy Bishop did not have a hero in his life. To be a hero means to me that you’re caring, unselfish, giving and respectful. I chose Billy Bishop for these reasons. A hero is more than well known because they fight for a cause and have great courage and strength.

Did you know that Billy Bishop was the first Canadian fighter pilot to receive the Victoria Cross? Did you know that there is an airport named after Billy Bishop? One of them is named the “Owen Sound Billy Bishop Regional Airport” in Owen Sound, Ontario. Bishop was known by the Germans as the “Hell's Handmaiden” or the “Blue-Nosed Devil.” Before Billy Bishop joined the Air Force he was in the Canadian Mounted Rifles. Learning about Billy Bishop was a great experience for me and I hope it was for you too.