William George Barker VC 1894-1930
Most decorated war hero in the history of Canada, the British Empire, and the Commonwealth of Nations
Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Order (twice)
Military Cross (three times)
Mentioned in despatches (three times)
Medaglia d'Argento al Valor Militare (Italy - twice)
Croix de Guerre (France)
Born in a log cabin in Manitoba, he entered the Great War as a simple soldier. He soon joined the Royal Flying Corps, first as observer, then as pilot. He rose in rank and fame, and became so skilled that during his last twelve months of combat not one pilot under his command or aeroplane under his escort was lost to the enemy.
By war's end he had downed fifty enemy aircraft. His fellow ace, William Avery Bishop VC, would call him
"The deadliest air fighter who ever lived"
After he died in an aviation accident, his state funeral was the largest every held in the history of Toronto.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.