Francis Quigley

Name:Francis Granger Quigley
Country:Canada
Rank:Captain
Service:Royal Flying Corps
Units:70
Victories:33
Date Of Birth: July 10, 1894
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario
Date Of Death: October 20, 1918
Place of Death: Liverpool, England

When the war began, Quigley was a student at Queen's University in Toronto. He joined the army on 16 December 1914. Quigley served with the Canadian Army Engineers on the Western Front, until he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1917. He was assigned to 70 Squadron in France on September 12, 1917. Flying Sopwith Camels, he scored 33 confirmed victories before being wounded in action on March 27, 1918. Recovering from a shattered ankle, he returned to Canada where he served as an instructor at Armour Heights. While returning to England in October of 1918, Quigley contracted influenza and died two days after his ship reached Liverpool.

Military Cross (MC)
"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 manoeuvring, 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." MC citation, London Gazette, February 18, 1918 and July 18, 1918

Military Cross (MC)
'Bar' 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." MC Bar citation, London Gazette, May 13, 1918

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
"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 in low-flying work, he showed the greatest skill and determination. He fired 3,000 rounds and dropped 30 bombs during this period, inflicting heavy casualties on enemy infantry, artillery and transport." DSO citation, London Gazette, June 22, 1918.