IMAGE INFORMATION
EditWilliam George "Will" Barker VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Two Bars - Born November 3, 1894 in Dauphin, Manitoba - Died March 12, 1930 in Ottawa, Ontario was a Canadian First World War fighter ace and Victoria Cross recipient and 1st President of The Toronto Maple Leafs.
After World War I, Barker returned to Canada in May 1919 as the most decorated Canadian of the war, with the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Order and Bar, the Military Cross and two Bars, two Italian Silver Medals for Military Valour, and the French Croix de guerre. He was also mentioned in despatches three times. The Canadian Daily Record, a publication of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, wrote in December 1918 that William Barker of Dauphin, Manitoba was the Canadian holding the record for "most fighting decorations" in the war. No other Canadian soldier, sailor or airman has surpassed this record, and the Canadian War Museum exhibit, located in Ottawa, Ontario, states: "Lieutenant Colonel William G. Barker, one of the legendary aces of the war, remains the most decorated Canadian in military service".