Toronto Island Airport to become Billy Bishop Memorial Airport?

[The Bread Guy]

Owen Sound officials, which already has a Billy Bishop Regional Airport, is reportedly underwhelmed - more, from the Globe & Mail:

It is perhaps a testament to the reputation of famed Canadian fighter pilot Billy Bishop that he is set to have an airport named in his honour – again.

The Toronto Port Authority plans to announce Thursday that it will rename the City Centre Airport on the island as the Billy Bishop Memorial Airport, sources tell The Globe and Mail.

The news came as a surprise 200 kilometres northwest of Toronto in Mr. Bishop's hometown of Owen Sound.

The small city is filled with tributes to the First World War pilot, including its own airport: the Billy Bishop Regional Airport.

“You can't have two Billy Bishop airports,” Owen Sound airport manager Barry Lewin said, who hadn't heard of the TPA's plan.

“You'd think, out of courtesy, they would have notified or asked us? Because we certainly wouldn't be in favour.”

The TPA appears to have notified Owen Sound's mayor, not the airport, within the past two weeks of the imminent change.

Mayor Ruth Lovell-Stanners returned last night from a two-week vacation in Scotland to find a letter from TPA board chair Mark McQueen outlining his agency's intentions.

“We'll name ours the Toronto Island Airport, and we'll wait and see what happens,” deadpans Ms. Lovell-Stanners ....

More on link

 

[Fishbone Jones]

“If you have two Billy Bishops, I don't know that's too much of an issue, other than the Owen Sound folks might be upset.”

More words of wisdom, to us peons, from the elite at the self proclaimed 'Centre of the Universe'. :

 

[FDO]

Well of course, Toronto Island Airport is MUCH more imortant than some rinky dink regional airport. Just ask them they'll tell you. Oh sorry they already did!

Sorry couldn't help it. I'm better now! In all honesty though I can see Toronto Island Airport taking Owen Sound to court for the name. They'll come up with some BS excuse. I guess there was only one Canadain ACE or Pilot that ever did anything during 2 World Wars and Korea. Granted BIlly Bishop is the most famous so maybe we should make another great Pilot and Canadain famous!

Rant out!

 

[AJFitzpatrick]

Raymond Collishaw

who seems to be completely forgotten;

is it because he never joined the Canadian Forces but remained in the RAF?

 

[mariomike]

SQUADRON LEADER IAN W. BAZALGETTE, V.C., D.F.C.
Born in Canada. Lived on Neville Park Blvd. in Toronto and attended Balmy Beach School here.
Interred in France 1944.
He was in Bomber Command. Too politically incorrect to name anything after?

"On 4th August, 1944, Squadron Leader Bazalgette was ‘master bomber’ of a Pathfinder squadron detailed to mark an important target at Trossy-St. Maximin for the main bomber force.
When nearing the target his Lancaster came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Both starboard engines were put out of action and serious fires broke out in the fuselage, and the starboard main-plane. The bomb aimer was badly wounded.
As the deputy ‘master bomber’ had already been shot down, the success of the attack depended on Squadron Leader Bazalgette, and this he knew. Despite the appalling conditions in his burning aircraft, he pressed on gallantly to the target, marking and bombing it accurately. That the attack was successful was due to his magnificent effort.
After the bombs had been dropped the Lancaster dived, practically out of control. By expert airmanship and great exertion Squadron Leader Bazalgette regained control. But the port inner engine then failed and the whole of the starboard mainplane became a mass of flames.
Squadron Leader Bazalgette fought bravely to bring his aircraft and crew to safety. The mid-upper gunner was overcome by fumes. Squadron Leader Bazalgette then ordered those of his crew who were able to leave by parachute to do so. He remained at the controls and attempted the almost hopeless task of landing the crippled and blazing aircraft in a last effort to save the wounded bomb aimer and helpless gunner. With superb skill, and taking great care to avoid a small French village nearby, he brought the aircraft down safely. Unfortunately, it then exploded and this gallant officer and his two comrades perished.
His heroic sacrifice marked the climax of a long career of operations against the enemy. He always chose the more dangerous and exacting roles. His courage and devotion to duty were beyond praise."

Note: 1) The statement in the V.C. citation that Bazalgette was Master Bomber for this raid is not correct, although he had acted as Master Bomber on earlier raids.

2) There is already a street named after Billy Bishop at Yorkdale.