William Ernest Shields William Ernest Shields DFC & Bar ( 15 October 1892 – 1 August 1921 ) was a Canadian First World War flying ace , officially credited with 24 victories . Early life . William Ernest Shields was born on 15 October 1892 in Toronto , Ontario , Canada , the son of W . H . Shields . Not quite a year after the British declaration of war at the start of World War I dragged Canada into the war , the younger Shields joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force . As was customary for Canadians entering the military at that time , he filled out an Attestation Paper . The date he joined is filled in next to his signature of " W . E . Shields " below his oath of allegiance to King George V ; it was 25 March 1915 . The reverse of the Attestation Paper shows that the examining medical officer measured him as being five feet five inches tall , with an expanded chest measurement of 36 inches . He had a fair complexion , brown eyes , and light brown hair . Aerial service in the First World War . Shields ' military service details are unknown before he joined the Royal Flying Corps . His known history begins with his posting to No . 41 Squadron RAF on 20 March 1918 . There he joined two other Canadian aces , William Claxton and Frederick McCall . Shields was assigned a Royal Aircraft Factory SE . 5 a to fly . With it , he began his victory list on 12 June 1918 , driving a German Albatros D . V down out of control over Guerbigny , France . It was the start of a victory tally that would make him an ace several times over ; he also became proficient at the hazardous mission of balloon busting . By the time Shields scored his final victories on 4 November 1918 , a week before war ' s end , they totaled 24 . He was an ace on observation balloons alone , being credited with destroying five of them . He also destroyed 11 enemy fighter planes , and drove down eight out of control . His valour was rewarded with two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the rank of Captain . Post First World War . Shields returned to Canada . He married a Miss Nicholson on 22 June 1921 while living in Portage La Prairie . As he was employed by the Dominion ' s air patrol , he moved to High River , Alberta as the acting sub - station superintendent of this station . His flying duties there included the aerial spotting of forest fires over the eastern Rocky Mountains , including the Red Deer area . On 1 August 1921 , he and wireless operator G . H . Harding were going to fly west of Red Deer . Shields took off at 0737 hours . At an altitude of about 50 feet , the plane side - slipped into a nose - diving crash . Though Harding suffered only minor injuries , Shields died from a fracture to the back of his skull , expiring a few minutes after being pulled from the wreckage . Text of award citations . Distinguished Flying Cross . " Lieut . William Ernest Shields . A gallant officer who inspires others by his courage and dash . In six weeks he destroyed six enemy aircraft and drove down three others out of control . On one occasion he , single - handed , engaged three scouts , driving down two of them . " Distinguished Flying Cross - Bar . " Lt . ( A . / Capt . ) William Ernest Shields , D . F . C . ( FRANCE ) Bold in attack and skilful in manoeuvre , this officer is conspicuous for his success and daring in aerial combats . On 22 September , when on offensive patrol , he was attacked by fourteen Fokkers ; he succeeded in shooting down one . On another occasion he was attacked by six scouts and destroyed one of these . In all , since 28 June , this officer has accounted for fourteen enemy aircraft . "