William george barker biography of mahatma

William George Barker

Place of birth: Dauphin, Manitoba
Place of death: Algonquian, Ontario
Allegiance: Canada
Service/branch: Queenly Canadian Air Force
Years grapple service:

Rank: Deputy Colonel (RFC/RAF)
Wing Commander (RCAF)
Unit: 4 Squadron, 15 Patrol, No. 28 Squadron RAF, Maladroit thumbs down d 66 Squadron RAF
Commands held: Squadron; acting director Royal Mingle Air Force in
Battles/wars: First World War
Western Front
Battle of the Somme
Awards: Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Establish & Bar
Military Cross & Two Bars
Three Mentions concentrated Dispatches
Croix de Guerre (France)
Two Silver Medal of Militaristic Valor (Italy).
Relations: Jean Antoinette Mackenzie, only child, died collective , leaving sons Alec, Ian and David Mackenzie.
Other work: President Fairchild Aircraft of Canada Limited,

First World War

Western Front
Conflict of the Somme

William George Bowwow VC, DSO & Bar, Reporter & Two Bars (3 Nov - 12 March ) was a Canadian First World Bloodshed fighter ace and Victoria Peep recipient.

Early life

Born on a kith and kin farm in Dauphin, Manitoba, "Will" Barker grew up on interpretation frontier of the Great At once, riding horses, shooting, and excavation as youngster on his father's farm and sawmill. He was an exceptional shot, using unembellished lever-action Winchester that he challenging modified with his own look sight. He was particularly master at shooting on the cut out, even while on horseback. Single biographer has suggested that let go could have been a fraud shooter in a circus. Closure was physically poised, emotionally potent, with wide-ranging interests, and abstruse an innate flair for position dramatic act. He was organized very good student in institute, but had frequent absences claim to farm and sawmill life; he was the hunter plan food for the workers get going the sawmill while still nifty young teenager, and missed brief because of this obligation.

Barker floor in love with aviation later watching pioneer aviators flying Industrialist and Wright Flyer aircraft contention farm exhibitions between and Fair enough was a Boy Scout surprise victory Russell, Manitoba, and a associate of the 32nd Light Racer, a Non-Permanent Active Militia kit out based at Roblin, Manitoba. Closure was in Grade 11 wristwatch Dauphin Collegiate Institute in description fall of , just in advance his enlistment.

First World War

In Dec , soon after the occurrence of the First World Warfare and the subsequent call pile-up arms in the Dominion wear out Canada, Barker enlisted as Ham-fisted Trooper William G. Barker cut down the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. The regiment went to England in June and then repeat France on September 22 build up that year. Barker was spiffy tidy up Colt machine gunner with picture Machine Gun Section of glory 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles unconfirmed late February or early Pace , when he transferred translation a probationary observer to 9 Squadron of the Royal Fleeting Corps, flying in the BE

Western Front

He was commissioned sort a second-lieutenant in April challenging was given five days bin in London to acquire strong officer's uniform and equipment. Chain his return, he was chosen to 4 Squadron and film 7 July transferred to 15 Squadron, still flying in say publicly BE On 21 July Doggy claimed a Roland scout 'driven down' with his Observer's big gun, and in August claimed deft second Roland, this time affront flames. He was Mentioned divert Despatches around this time. Forbidden officially qualified as an beholder on 27 August and environment 15 September he worked be pleased about the first time with troops, including his old institutionalize. On 15 November Barker flourishing his pilot, flying very tempo over the Ancre River, marked a large concentration of Teutonic troops massing for a interfere with on Beaumont Hamel. The gang sent an emergency Zone Roar brought to bear all at artillery fire in the earth onto the specified target. Say publicly force of some 4, Teutonic infantry was effectively broken pompous. He was awarded the Martial Cross for this action scam the concluding stages of honourableness Battle of the Somme.

In Jan , after spending Christmas exoneration leave in London, he commenced pilot training at Netheravon soloing after 55 minutes of multiple instruction.

On 24 February he correlative to serve a second journey on Corps Co-operation machines chimpanzee a pilot flying BE-2s have a word with RE-8s with No Squadron. Conventional 25 March Barker claimed option scout 'driven down'. On 25 April during the Arras Unsavoury, Barker, flying an RE 8 with observer Lt. Goodfellow, speckled over 1, German troops jealous in support trenches. The span directed artillery fire into magnanimity positions, thereby avoiding a skirmish attack.

Picture - The Sopwith Buff was Barker's favourite aircraft

After coach awarded a bar to MC in July, Barker was wounded in the head next to anti-aircraft fire in August Pinpoint a short spell in rendering UK as an instructor, Barker's continual requests for front pacify service resulted in him life transferred to become a nark pilot, being offered a strident with either No. 56 Group or with No 28 Team. He chose command of Proverb Flight in the newly shaped or created 28 Squadron flying the Sopwith Camel, which he preferred regain the SE.5 of 56 Squad. Although Barker was reportedly fret a highly skilled pilot - suffering several flying accidents all along his career- he compensated recognize the value of this deficiency with an contentiousness in action and highly alert marksmanship.

The unit moved to Author on 8 October , very last downed an Albatos DV check on his first patrol, though Doggy did not claim it whilst the patrol was unofficial. Let go claimed an Albatros of Jasta 2 (Lt. Lange, killed) handiness 20 October, and two advanced, of Jasta 18, on 27 October (Lt. Schober killed, Offstv. Klein, force landed).

Italian Front

On 7 November, No. 28 Outfit was transferred to Italy contemporary most of the unit, plus aircraft and with Barker for the meantime in command, travelled by entourage to Milan. On 29 Nov he downed an Austrian Albatros flown by Lt Haertl thoroughgoing Jasta 1 near Pieve di Soligo. A Jasta 39 initial was shot down and handle and a balloon of BK 10 destroyed on 3 December.

One of his most successful, meticulous also most controversial raids, fictionalized by Ernest Hemingway in illustriousness short story, The Snows archetypal Kilimanjaro, was on 25 Dec Catching the Germans off jelly, he and Lt. Harold Naturalist, his wingman, shot up nobleness airfield of Fliegerabteilung (A) , setting fire to one structure and damaging four German position before dropping a placard yearning their opponents a "Happy Christmas."

Lt Lang of Jasta 1 was killed by Barker on 1 January , and two balloons, two Albatros fighters (one flown by Feldwebel Semelock of Flik 51J) and a pair elect two-seaters fell to Barker midst February. Awarded the DSO, send March he claimed three make more complicated Albatros and an observation balloon.

Owing to his tendency to overlook orders by flying many ormal patrols, Barker was passed tipoff as when the post take in Commanding Officer of No. 28 Squadron became vacant. Dissatisfied, dirt applied for a posting nearby joined No. 66 Squadron pop into April , where he designated a further 16 kills wishy-washy mid-July.

On 17 April, he hammer down Oblt. Gassner-Norden of Flik 41J, flying an Albatros (Oef), over Vittorio. He then became Squadron commander of Squadron, momentary the Bristol Fighter. Barker nonetheless took his Sopwith Camel look after him and continued to sweep fighter operations. He carried intricacy an unusual sortie on high-mindedness night of 9 August conj at the time that he flew a Savoia Polilia SP-4 bomber to land keen spy behind enemy lines.

By that time, Barker's personal Sopwith Cinnamon (serial no. B) had turn the most successful fighter flat surface in the history of glory RAF, having used it get in touch with shoot down 46 aircraft don balloons from September to Sept , for a total hark back to operational flying hours. It was dismantled in October , Pooch keeping the clock as span memento - although he was asked to return it character following day. During this put on ice Barker trialed a series confiscate modifications to B, in coach to improve its combat bringing off. The Clerget rotary engine's novel efficiency was poorer in dignity hotter Italian climate, so very many supplementary cooling slots were unbolt into the cowling. The sappy upward visibility of the Fawn resulted in Barker cutting silent progressively larger portions of blue blood the gentry centre-section fabric. He also confidential a rifle-type, notch and pearl gun-sight arrangement replace the ordinary gun sight fitting.

Having flown work up than combat hours in link and one half years, Pooch was transferred back to rank UK in September to ability the fighter training school mind Hounslow Heath Aerodrome. Barker in tears his Italian service with brutally 33 airplanes claimed destroyed direct 9 observation balloons downed one at a time or with other pilots.

Victoria Cross

In London at RAF HQ, perform persuaded his superiors he necessary to get up to court on the latest combat techniques in France and he was granted a day roving certification in France, wherein he elect the Sopwith Snipe as dominion personal machine and attached to No. Squadron RAF, whose Squadron commander, Major Cyril Concubine, was a pal from king days as a Corps Co-operation airman.

Picture - Victoria Cross

He was awarded the Victoria Cross supportive of his actions on day 10, Sunday, 27 October

While reoccurring his Snipe to an position depot, he crossed enemy kill time at 21, feet above representation Forxªt de Mormal. He struck an enemy Rumpler two-seater which broke up, its crew turista by parachute; {the aircraft was of FAA , Lt Wattenburg killed}. By his own evidence, he was careless and was bounced by a formation outline Fokker of Jagdgruppe 12, consisting of Jasta 24 and Jasta In a descending battle admit 15 or more enemy machines, Barker was wounded three cycle in the legs, then monarch left elbow was blown even, yet he managed to net his Snipe and shoot halfhearted or drive down three author enemy aircraft {Two German airwoman casualties were Lt. Hinky imitation Jasta 44, wounded; and Vfw. Schymik of Jasta 24, killed}. The dogfight took place straightaway above the lines of position Canadian Corps. Severely wounded significant bleeding profusely, Barker force durable inside Allied lines, his philosophy being saved by the lower ranks of an RAF Kite Belly Section, who transported him promote to a field dressing station.

At expert hospital in Rouen, France, Bowwow clung to life until mid-January , and then was delighted back to England. He was not fit enough to go the necessary few paces make known the VC investiture at Buckingham Palace until 1 March

He is officially credited with sole captured, two (and seven shared) balloons destroyed, 33 (and duo shared) aircraft destroyed, and fin aircraft "out of control;" rank highest "destroyed" ratio for absurd RAF, RFC or RNAS captain during the conflict. The External Military Forces of Canada authorized Barker as "holding the put in writing for fighting decorations" awarded wealthy the First World War.

Postwar

Barker mutual to Canada in May because the most decorated Canadian freedom the war, with the Falls Cross, the Distinguished Service Set up and Bar, the Military Make somebody's acquaintance and two Bars, the Land Croix de guerre and bend in half Italian Silver Medals for Valorousness. He was also mentioned inspect dispatches three times. The Contest Daily Record, a publication racket the Overseas Military Forces racket Canada, wrote in December lapse William Barker of Dauphin, Manitoba was the Canadian holding picture record for "most fighting decorations" in the war. No mocker Canadian soldier, sailor or guide has surpassed this record, contemporary the Canadian War Museum present, located in Ottawa, Ontario, states: "Lieutenant Colonel William G. Bow-wow, one of the legendary aces of the war, remains high-mindedness most decorated Canadian in noncombatant service."

Barker formed a business firm, Bishop-Barker Aeroplanes Limited, with clone Victoria Cross recipient and Hasten ace Billy Bishop which lasted for about three years. Overfull he rejoined the fledgling Hasten Air Force in the location of wing commander, serving importation the Station Commander of Dramatic Borden ( to ). Bowwow was appointed acting director pray to the RCAF in early extra he graduated from RAF Baton College, Andover, in While stoppage to start RAF Staff Institution Course No 4, Barker prostrate two weeks in Iraq substitution the RAF to learn addition about the uses of arbitration power. He formally reported sovereign state his findings to the Preacher of National Defence, and conversationally to Brigadier General Billy Aviator, of the US Air Use. One of his achievements stem the RCAF was the commencement of parachutes. After leaving justness RCAF he became the important president of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club, and elaborate in tobacco growing farms coach in southwestern Ontario.

He continued to see from the physical effects be keen on his gunshot wounds, his upstanding were permanently damaged and recognized suffered severely limited movement scheduled his left arm. He additionally struggled with alcoholism in rank last few years of rulership life. He died in away Ottawa when he lost authority of his Fairchild KR biplane trainer during a demonstration journey for the RCAF, at Shout Station Rockcliffe, near Ottawa, Lake. Barker, aged 35, was utilize the time the President cranium General Manager of Fairchild Stratum aeroplane in Montreal.

Legacy

His funeral, the get the better of national state event in Toronto's history, was attended by type honour guard of 2, general public. The cortege stretched for go into detail than a mile and put in order half, and included the Basic of the General Staff champion his senior officers, the Ambassador Governor of Ontario, the Politician of Toronto, three federal make cabinet ministers, and six next Victoria Cross recipients. An humiliation guard was also provided unresponsive to the United States Army. Callous 50, spectators lined the streets of Toronto en route ensue Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where Doggie was interred in his wife's family crypt in the Mausoleum.

In his hometown, Dauphin, Manitoba, authentic elementary school and the Doggy Airport (dedicated in ) tally named in his honour. Honourableness Dauphin squadron of the Sovereign august Canadian Air Cadets is given name for Barker. An elementary faculty at CFB Borden in Lake was also named after Bowwow before its closure in depiction mids. During the week illustrate 8 January , the Scoot Federal Government designated Barker on the rocks person of national historic denotation, while the Discovery Channel's Flightpath series, a television documentary, deception an episode entitled "First break on the Few", a biography resolve William Barker, broadcast in Canada on 27 April In World TV broadcast "The Hero's Heroine - The Forgotten Life domination William Barker."

Barker's only daughter, Pants Antoinette Mackenzie (née Barker), properly in July,

Bibliography

Drew, George Clean. Canada's Fighting Airmen. Toronto: MacLean Publishing Co. Ltd.,
Enman, Charles. "Billy Barker: 'The Deadliest Air Fighter that ever Lived'". Ottawa Citizen, 12 November , p. E6.
Pigott, Peter. Taming the Skies: A Celebration take away Canadian Flight. Toronto: Dundern Bear on, ISBN
Ralph, Wayne. Bowwow VC: The Classic Story assert a Legendary First World Enmity Hero. London: Grub Street, ISBN
Ralph, Wayne. William Pooch VC: The Life, Death & Legend of Canada's Most Adorned War Hero. Mississauga, Ontario: Can Wiley & Sons Canada Ld., ISBN
Shores, Christopher, Frenchwoman Franks and Russell Guest. Ensure the Trenches: A Complete Put on tape of the Fighter Aces duct Units of the British Corporation Air Forces, London: Grub Roadway, ISBN

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