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The First World War, The Great War, The War to End All Wars, WW1, call it what you will but for Canadians it marked a significant step in the birth of a nations identity stepping out from under the wings of colonial masters. Canadians were soon recognized as some of the best trained, physically fit, resolved fighters that fought in bloody, mud-bogged battles of renown Ypres, Somme, Battle of Passchendaele, Vimy. One area of combat that Canadians also excelled at was in the new frontier of battle - the air. Heres a look at 10 distinguished Canadian flying Aces from the First World War. We will remember them.

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BillY Bishop

Your 10 Best
Fred McCall

At 72 victories, he is recognized as Canadas top flying ace and some suggest to top fighter in the Vernon, B.C. pilot with 37 kills in British Empire. A famous musical the First World War, and returned to action in WWII. bears his name.

raYMond CollishaW

WilliaM stephenson
Storied and distinguished RAF pilot whose testimony was used to verify Browns kill of the Red Baron. Became more famous after the war as pioneer bush pilot including the storied winter flight bringing much needed medicine to Fort Vermilion.

WilFrid Wop MaY

Nanaimo, B.C. pilot who was second in First World War kills only behind Bishop. He with his Sopwith Triplane, Black Maria registered 60.

Distinguished Flying Cross winner and 12 kills to his credit, hes best known for his future activities in intelligence. Later knighted, he is said to be Ian Flemings model for James Bond.

The Portage La Prairie native actually spent time as a bush pilot in northern Alberta where the aboriginal people called him Snow Eagle northern whites called him White Eagle while the press dubbed him the Flying Knight of the Northland. He flew more than 70 missions in the last year of the war, was highly decorated including the Distinguished Flying Cross at age 20.

punCh diCKins

Gerald Gordon Bell

Ottawa pilot registered 16 kills in the Great War, many in the Greek corridor.

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roY BroWn

10

a.e. McKeever The first World War I two-seater flying ace who, in conjunction with his gunners, was credited with 31 victories. He was the highest scoring two-seater fighter pilot in the Royal Flying Corps or Royal Air Force.

Lest We Forget

Close friends with both May and Collishaw, hes best remembered as the man who shot down the Red Baron over the Somme in 1918.

BillY BarKer

The Dauphin, Manitoba fighter ace was awarded the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order & Bar, Military Cross & Two Bars Mentioned in Despatches (three times) Croix de Guerre (France) Two Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italy). He was the most decorated Canadian of the war.