Billy Bishop Home and Museum
Encyclopedia
The Billy Bishop Home & Museum is a museum and National Historic Site of Canada in Owen Sound
, Ontario
, Canada
that commemorates the life and achievements of World War I flying ace and Victoria Cross
winner Air Marshall William Avery Billy Bishop
VC, CB, DSO and Bar, MC, DFC, and to Canada's aviation history. The museum is located at his birthplace and childhood home before he went to Royal Military College of Canada
in Kingston, Ontario
. It features displays of artifacts including uniforms, medals, photos, models, etc. from Canadians who fought in the air during World War I
and World War II
, as well as a tribute to the "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen
. The house has the original hardwood floors, Victorian furnishings and other personal possessions of the Bishop family. A gift shop is open during museum hours.
Bishop's modest gravesite is also in Owen Sound in Greenwood Cemetery.
A plaque at the Billy Bishop Museum dedicated to William Avery "Billy" Bishop 1894-1956 was erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. "Billy Bishop was renowned as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I by shooting down at least 72 enemy aircraft and leading other daring missions against the enemy. For these exploits, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the D.S.O. and other medals for bravery, becoming Canada's most decorated serviceman. Born in Owen Sound, he was educated here and at Royal Military College of Canada
, Kingston. His later life was spent largely in England and Montreal. During part of World War II he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa as an honorary Air Marshal."
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Owen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that commemorates the life and achievements of World War I flying ace and Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
winner Air Marshall William Avery Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
VC, CB, DSO and Bar, MC, DFC, and to Canada's aviation history. The museum is located at his birthplace and childhood home before he went to Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. It features displays of artifacts including uniforms, medals, photos, models, etc. from Canadians who fought in the air during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as well as a tribute to the "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
. The house has the original hardwood floors, Victorian furnishings and other personal possessions of the Bishop family. A gift shop is open during museum hours.
Bishop's modest gravesite is also in Owen Sound in Greenwood Cemetery.
A plaque at the Billy Bishop Museum dedicated to William Avery "Billy" Bishop 1894-1956 was erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. "Billy Bishop was renowned as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I by shooting down at least 72 enemy aircraft and leading other daring missions against the enemy. For these exploits, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the D.S.O. and other medals for bravery, becoming Canada's most decorated serviceman. Born in Owen Sound, he was educated here and at Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
, Kingston. His later life was spent largely in England and Montreal. During part of World War II he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa as an honorary Air Marshal."
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.