Craig, I'm not saying that Bishop doesn't have to have proof. BUT, my understanding of the the "proof" is this. What records may have existed with his VC award in London were either destroyed between the wars, or during WWII.
There is/was a review process that each set of records goes/went through to determine if they should be saved or not. IF it is determined that there is no need to save the "excess" paperwork, then it is taken and destroyed. THis would include eye-witness accounts, sworn statements and other such documents.
The BIGGEST problem we have had in trying to "certify" Bishop's VC has been the utter LACK of the documents that would normally accompany said award. It is these very missing documents that would have explained the reasoning behind the award of the VC for Bishop's 2 June, 1917 raid. And it's the lack of these documents that, in my opinion is the biggest cause of the controversy
I've talked to people who've been to the Imperial War Museum, the PRO in Kew, and other places where such records are normally kept. The basic result is they aren't there anymore!
Given all that, what I am I supposed to do? What is ANY Bishop supporter supposed to do? Throw up our hands and give up??? Not bloody likely.
But, up to this point, I had been stuck, being out of work for over a year, I had a personal lack of funds, such that I had more important things to worry about. Such as where my sons' next meal was coming from.
But, now that I've relocated to Michigan, and I have a job (At the University of Michigan, no less!!). This puts me considerably closer to Canada.
Currently my next trip to Canada is planned as a friendly visit to a friend, and former historian from the
Billy Bishop Museum in Owen Sound. If it's possible during that trip, I intend to get to the museum and see what records they might have. And since I'm "in good" with someone who used to work there, and himself being "in good" with the founder, I expect I'll get better than average access.
But to be completely honest, I don't really expect to turn much up in the way of documents like what should have been with his VC papers in London. But I can still hope.
But you can be sure I'll take plenty of notes, and all the photo copies I can get/afford. Thank God the US dollar is strong! It will go a long way in Canada.
VBR,
Al Lowe