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During
the First World War, great leaps were
made in aircraft technology and the use
of aircraft for military purposes. Canadians
served at home and overseas as fighter
and reconnaissance pilots, aerial observers,
mechanics, and flight instructors in
the British air services. Over 3000 British
and Canadian pilots trained in Canada,
of whom 2500 served overseas. Many airmen
were among the Allies’ best. Fighter
pilot W.A. “Billy” Bishop
was the third leading ace of the war,
credited with 72 aircraft destroyed,
while William Barker, also a fighter
pilot, is one of the most highly- decorated
Canadians of all time. These men, and
other flyers like Raymond Collishaw and
A.A. McLeod, became household names in
Canada. Of the nearly 23,000 Canadian
airmen who served during the war, 1563
died.
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