Original: Air Marshal William Avery '' Billy '' Bishop VC , CB , DSO & Bar , MC , DFC , ED ( 8 February 1894 -- 11 September 1956 ) was a Canadian First World War flying ace , officially credited with 72 victories , making him the top Canadian ace , and according to some sources , the top ace of the British Empire .
Simplified: William Avery '' Billy '' Bishop ( 8 February 1894 â '' 11 September 1956 ) was a Canadian flying ace from World War I/O. He won 72 fights , making him the top Canadian flying ace .