Canada’s most decorated war hero gets Toronto monument

TORONTO – Eight decades after his death, Canada’s most decorated war hero was recognized with the unveiling of a monument at a Toronto cemetery today.

First World War flying ace William Barker downed 50 enemy aircraft and received the Victoria Cross after being shot three times when he found himself alone in a dogfight against 15 German planes.

But few Canadians are likely familiar with his exploits, which were largely overshadowed by legendary flying ace Billy Bishop.

This afternoon, Barker finally got his due as Ontario Lt-Gov. David Onley and members of Barker’s family dedicated the monument.

Two vintage First World War planes – including the Sopwith Snipe, a type of plane Barker flew – conducted a flypast during the ceremony at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The only evidence of Barker’s final resting place had been a small marker inside his wife’s family crypt at Mount Pleasant, where his remains have been hidden away since his death.

Barker married Bishop’s cousin Jean Kilbourn Smith.

Ian Mackenzie, Barker’s grandson, says it’s about time his grandfather was properly recognized.

“He shouldn’t have been hidden away in the private crypt of this family,” Mackenzie, who attended the ceremony with his brothers Alec and David, said prior to the event. “They should have built a public monument for him. So this is kind of our duty, we felt for a long time and we’re finally accomplishing it.”

Barker’s father-in-law, a member of Toronto’s high society at the time, didn’t think much of the upstart farmer from Manitoba who married his daughter, and that may have impacted his burial place, said Mackenzie.

The idea of a Barker monument was first raised by Ipsos Reid pollster John Wright, who in 2009 contacted the flying ace’s family and Lt.-Gov. David Onley about getting a monument erected after he saw Barker’s understated final resting place.

In addition to his bravery as a pilot, there are other reasons Barker deserved proper recognition, said Wright.

“He had 50,000 people at his funeral, was able to start the island airport, had the first commercial airline … the first president of the Toronto Maple Leafs and he’s buried in a crypt that says Smith and no one knows who he is,” said Wright.