Frank Granger Quigley
Encyclopedia
Frank Granger Quigley DSO
, MC & Bar
(10 July 1894 - 20 October 1918) was a Canadian
World War I
flying ace
who was credited with 33 victories. He was notable for scoring the majority of his victories against German fighter planes.
in Kingston when World War I
began. He excelled at the sports of football and hockey.
Quigley enlisted on 16 December 1914, and served with the 5th Field Company of the Canadian Army Engineers on the Western Front. In early 1917, he transferred to the RFC. On 12 September 1917, he was assigned to 70 Squadron RFC to fly a Sopwith Camel
.
.
He had three victories in October, one in November, and five in December. In 1918, he scored eight times in January. On 6 January, he, William Fry
, and P. G. Kemsley teamed up to shoot down and kill Leutnant Harry von Bulow-Bothkamp
, himself an ace with 28 victories. Quigley triumphed once again in February, then 15 times between 8 and 23 March 1918. On 11 March alone, he helped destroy the only observation balloon of his career in the morning, then in the afternoon destroyed a Pfalz D.III and drove two others down out of control.
His victory tally comprised 16 enemy fighter planes destroyed and ten others driven down out of control, four observation planes destroyed and two driven down out of control, as well as an observation balloon destroyed. Quigley was the antithesis of the lone wolf pilot, sharing victories not just with Fry and Kemsley, but with such other aces as Frank Gorringe
, George R. Howsam
, John Todd
, Frank Hobson
, Alfred Michael Koch
, and Walter M. Carlaw
.
After his convalescence, he requested a return to action in France. While returning to England in October 1918, Quigley came down with influenza and died in a hospital in Liverpool 2 days after his ship docked.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaging hostile aircraft. On one occasion, while on patrol, he attacked an enemy two-seater which, after close fighting and skilful maneuvering, he crashed to the ground. He has, within a short period, destroyed or driven down out of control, seven other enemy machines, and on all occasions has displayed high courage and a fine fighting spirit."
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. He destroyed five enemy machines and one balloon, and drove down four enemy machines out of control. He showed splendid courage and initiative."
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading an offensive patrol he attacked a very large number of enemy aeroplanes, destroyed one of them and drove another down out of control. On the following day, while on a low-flying patrol, he was attacked by several enemy scouts, one of which dived at him. He out-manoeuvred this machine and fired on it at very close range. He followed it down to 500 feet, firing on it, and it spiralled very steeply to the ground in a cloud of black smoke. During the three following days, while employed on low-flying work, he showed the greatest skill and determination. He fired over 3,000 rounds and dropped thirty bombs during this period, inflicting heavy casualties on enemy infantry, artillery and transport."
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC & Bar
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(10 July 1894 - 20 October 1918) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
who was credited with 33 victories. He was notable for scoring the majority of his victories against German fighter planes.
Early life and service
Quigley was the youngest son of R. J. Quigley. He attended Saint Andrew's in Aurora, Ontario, and was attending his second year at Queen's UniversityQueen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
in Kingston when World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
began. He excelled at the sports of football and hockey.
Quigley enlisted on 16 December 1914, and served with the 5th Field Company of the Canadian Army Engineers on the Western Front. In early 1917, he transferred to the RFC. On 12 September 1917, he was assigned to 70 Squadron RFC to fly a Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
.
Service as a fighter pilot
In less than a month, on 10 October, he opened his victory list by shooting an Albatros D.V down in flames, and driving another down out of control. They were the first of 21 victories he scored against the Albatros D.VAlbatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
.
He had three victories in October, one in November, and five in December. In 1918, he scored eight times in January. On 6 January, he, William Fry
William Fry
William Fry may refer to:*William Henry Fry , American composer*William Fry , Australian politician of Higinbotham Province, Victoria...
, and P. G. Kemsley teamed up to shoot down and kill Leutnant Harry von Bulow-Bothkamp
Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp
Oberst Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Iron Cross was a German fighter ace notable for being one of the few two-war aces in history...
, himself an ace with 28 victories. Quigley triumphed once again in February, then 15 times between 8 and 23 March 1918. On 11 March alone, he helped destroy the only observation balloon of his career in the morning, then in the afternoon destroyed a Pfalz D.III and drove two others down out of control.
His victory tally comprised 16 enemy fighter planes destroyed and ten others driven down out of control, four observation planes destroyed and two driven down out of control, as well as an observation balloon destroyed. Quigley was the antithesis of the lone wolf pilot, sharing victories not just with Fry and Kemsley, but with such other aces as Frank Gorringe
Frank Gorringe
Captain Frank Clifford Gorringe was a World War I flying ace credited with 14 aerial victories.Frank Clifford Gorringe was working as an express clerk when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 23 September 1914, a week shy of his 25th birthday. Frank J. Gorringe was listed as his next...
, George R. Howsam
George R. Howsam
Air Vice Marshal George Roberts Howsam MC was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 13 victories, who continued his military career with such success he became an Air Vice Marshal....
, John Todd
John Todd (aviator)
Captain John Todd DFC, MC, OBE was a World War I flying ace credited with 18 aerial victories.He was a medical student at Edinburgh University before he signed up in the Royal Air Force....
, Frank Hobson
Frank Hobson
Captain Frank Harold Hobson was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories.Hobson was born in West Bridgford, Nottingham on 8 October 1894. He originally served in the Royal Engineers, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. In September 1917, he scored his first victory while...
, Alfred Michael Koch
Alfred Michael Koch
Lieutenant Alfred Michael Koch was a Swiss-born Canadian flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.- Early life :Alfred Michael Koch was born on 25 February 1894 in Arosa, Graubünden, Switzerland. He moved to Canada at the age of four years. His father was John Koch...
, and Walter M. Carlaw
Walter M. Carlaw
Captain Walter Macfarlane Carlaw DFC was a Scottish-born flying ace who served during World War I. He was credited with 12 confirmed aerial victories.-Early life:...
.
Post fighter service
He was wounded in action on 27 March 1918 and recovered in Le Touquet Hospital. He was returned to Canada to finish his recuperation from his shattered ankle. He served as an instructor at Armour Heights while he was in Canada.After his convalescence, he requested a return to action in France. While returning to England in October 1918, Quigley came down with influenza and died in a hospital in Liverpool 2 days after his ship docked.
Military Cross
"T./2nd Lt. Frank Granger Quigley, Gen. List and R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaging hostile aircraft. On one occasion, while on patrol, he attacked an enemy two-seater which, after close fighting and skilful maneuvering, he crashed to the ground. He has, within a short period, destroyed or driven down out of control, seven other enemy machines, and on all occasions has displayed high courage and a fine fighting spirit."
Military Cross and Bar
"T./Capt. Frank Granger Quigley, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. He destroyed five enemy machines and one balloon, and drove down four enemy machines out of control. He showed splendid courage and initiative."
Distinguished Service Order
"T./Capt. Frank Granger Quigley, M.C., R.F.C.For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading an offensive patrol he attacked a very large number of enemy aeroplanes, destroyed one of them and drove another down out of control. On the following day, while on a low-flying patrol, he was attacked by several enemy scouts, one of which dived at him. He out-manoeuvred this machine and fired on it at very close range. He followed it down to 500 feet, firing on it, and it spiralled very steeply to the ground in a cloud of black smoke. During the three following days, while employed on low-flying work, he showed the greatest skill and determination. He fired over 3,000 rounds and dropped thirty bombs during this period, inflicting heavy casualties on enemy infantry, artillery and transport."