History Channel - Will Barker

[EdStevens]

The History Channel here in Canada aired a one-hour documentary on William George Barker last night (March 19) entitled "The Hero's Hero." Given that it's difficult to fit even a lifetime cut short in an hour, I think they did a commendable job. They interviewed Wayne Ralph, Eric Peterson and John Gray (the latter of Billy Bishop Goes to War fame and the former of that and The Kid Who Couldn't Miss infamy), Arthur Bishop, and the brother and sister of Billy Barker among others. Granted, there were a few errors in stock footage versus narration (showing Boelcke when talking about Richthofen was inappropriate), but fewer than often occurs. Some of the footage appeared to be well restored, if repeated far too often, and there were numerous still photos of Barker included.

It was good to see one of Canada's greatest heroes given some exposure at last.

The best line of the piece had to go to Arthur Bishop when describing the post-war effort of the two Billy's to establish an air service to the Muskoka's. It went something like "basically, they were just f*cking around." In the context of a serious documentary, it was a hoot.

Anybody else see the program?

[Gregvan]

Dear Ed,

Being stateside, I didn't see the documentary :'(.
Is there by any chance an address or website where us poor non-Canadians could order a VHS of the program ?

Greg VanWyngarden

[EdStevens]

At the moment anyway, no. I checked the website (http://www.historytelevision.ca) and while they offer the Wayne Ralph book in the Boutique section, not the video. They may well offer it in the future, though.

[Gregvan]

Hi Ed,

Thanks for checking this out. Keep us informed.

Greg