THREE DECORATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1917, Page 1

THREE DECORATIONS

CANADIAN AIRMAN’S AMAZING EXPLOIT.

At an Investiture held recently at Buckingham Palace, Captain William Avery Bishop, of the Canadian Cavalry and the 8.F.C., received the Y.C., D. 5.0., and M.C. This gallant ofticei* is credited with having accomplished one of the most amazing deeds of the war. Several months ago Captain Bishop was sent out to accomplish independent- work, and, having crossed the enemy’s lines in his aeroplane, he fiew to an aerodrome, bnt, finding it empty, went on to another some three miles away, and twelve miles behind the German lines. There he saw seven aeroplanes on the ground, some with their engines running. Descending to an altitude of only fifty feet, he attacked the machines and saw a mechanic who was starting one of them fall. One machine got off the ground and rose, bnt Captain Bishop fired fifteen rounds into it when at a. height of 60ft, and if. crashed to the ground, A second machine succeeded in rising, hut this one, after receiving thirty rounds, fell into a tree. Two more machines ascended to attack, and one of these was engaged at a height of 1000 ft. After attacking a fourth aeroplane and using all his ammunition Captain Bishop flew back to our lines safely, his machine riddled with bullets. On his way back he met four hostile aeroplanes which were flying about ICOOFt above him, but they did not venture to attack him. After pinning the three decorations on the gallant officer’s tunic, the King shook hands with him most cordially, and heartily congratulated him upon his splendid work.