Frank Granger Quigley

Infobox Military Person
name=Frank Granger Quigley


caption=
born=10 July 1894
died=20 October 1918
placeofbirth=Toronto, Ontario, Canada
placeofdeath=Liverpool, England
nickname=
allegiance=British Empire
branch=Royal Flying Corps
serviceyears=
rank=Captain
unit=
commands=
battles=
awards= Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross & Bar
relations=
laterwork=

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.

Quigley was the youngest son of R. J. Quigley. He was attending his second year at Queen's University in Toronto when the war began. He excelled at the sports of football and hockey.

Quigley enlisted on 16 December 1914, and served with the Canadian Army Engineers on the Western Front. In early 1917, he transferred to the RFC. On 12 September 1917, he was assigned to Squadron 70 to fly a Sopwith Camel.

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 20 victories he scored against the Albatros D.V.

He had three victories in October, one in November, and five in December. In 1918, he scored eight times in January and once in February. On 6 January, he and William Fry teamed up to shoot down Leutnant Harry von Bulow-Bothkamp, himself an ace with 28 victories.

Quigley triumphed an astounding 15 times in March. 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.

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.

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. [ [http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/quigley.php www.theaerodrome.com] . Accessed 10 June 2008.]

Text of citations

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."

Reference

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/quigley.php (Accessed 29 August 2008)

http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Quigley.shtml (Accessed 29 August 2008)

http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/quigley.php (Accessed 29 August 2008)

http://www.wwiaviation.com/aces/ace_Quigley.shtml (Accessed 29 August 2008)