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Even before Canada established its own air force, more than 20,000 Canadians had served in World War I as members of the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force and Independent Air Force. Canadian pilots and observers learned to master the new, aerial technology and quickly gained fame in combat.
Canada's heroes of the air included Billy Bishop, Bill Barker and Alan McLeod, all three of whom won the Victoria Cross. They flew without parachutes in flimsy single-seat scout and twin-seat observer aircraft made of wood, wire, fabric and glue. Although Bishop, Barker and McLeod were the Great War's only Canadian airmen to win the Victoria Cross, all who served in that conflict were heroes. Their pioneering achievements are their legacy.
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