William Avery Bishop, V.C. Plaque

This memorial is dedicated to William Avery Bishop, V.C. It was erected in 1959 by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Three men from the Owen Sound area were awarded the Victoria Cross - William Avery Bishop, David Currie and Thomas Holmes. Their plaques are situated side by side, next to the town's cenotaph.

WILLIAM AVERY BISHOP, V.C.,
1894 - 1956

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.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.