Frank Granger Quigley

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.

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 University 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.

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.V.

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.

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."