Conrad Lally
Encyclopedia
Captain Conrad Tolendal Lally was a World War I
flying ace
credited with five aerial victories. His valorous military service was matched by his devotion to serving his home town and community in
before emigrating to Canada.
Young Lally was educated at private schools before matriculating at Upper Canada College
. After graduation, he went into banking, opening and managing the first Imperial Bank of Canada
branch in Banff
in 1906. Two years later, he moved to Wainwright, Alberta
to go partners in a general store. He became active in civic affairs, becoming mayor. However, as World War I erupted, he volunteered for military service with the Royal Flying Corps
.
, Nova Scotia. A ten day voyage aboard the RMS Metagama took him across the ocean.
He began aviation training on 24 January 1916, flying 13 minutes in a dual control craft. By the time he graduated on 24 June 1916, he had garnered 22 hours 4 minutes flight time in his log.
Circa 26 June 1916, Lally was appointed a Flying Officer
with the rank of second lieutenant
. Because of his natural talent, he was posted to 24 Flying Training Squadron as an instructor. During the next eight months, he would accumulate 329 hours of flight time.
On 25 April 1917, he was posted as a pilot to 25 Squadron, which was equipped with two-seater Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2 bombers. On 7 June 1917, with Lieutenant L. F. Williams manning the observer's guns, the two of them drove down a German Albatros D.III
fighter out of control and destroyed another west of Lille
. The squadron then upgraded to Airco DH.4 bombers. On 5 August 1917, with Basil Blackett
at the observer's guns, Lally used his new machine to destroy an Albatros D.V
over Perenchies
. On 3 September 1917, the new team drove an Albatros D.V down over Quesnoy
in mid-morning and another one over Douai
in the evening. The following day, 4 September 1917, the new ace was appointed a Flight Commander with its accompanying promotion to temporary captain.
His aerial victories, however, were secondary to his main duties of bombarding the enemy and taking aerial photographs of his dispositions. These were the milieu of the valorous deeds that earned him both awards of the Military Cross. His first award, the Military Cross, came on 29 November 1917, when he was invested in London, though it would not be gazetted until 18 January 1918. It would be followed up in July 1918 with a Bar in lieu of a second award.
On 3 September 1918, Lally crashed into a tree and put himself into hospital for two months with a thrice-fractured jaw and smashed face. He returned to flying on 4 November 1918, one week before the Armistice.
Lally returned to Wainwright and became the postmaster in 1923. The next year, he married Mary Beryl Rodden; the union would produce a daughter. Lally also returned to public and community service. In the public sphere, he served a second term as mayor, presided as a police magistrate
, was president of the local board of trade, and oversaw the schools as a trustee
. He also captained the town's hockey team, master of the local Masonic lodge, and supported the Anglican Church.
Lt. (T./Capt.) Conrad T. Lally, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty in many bomb raids and photographic
and long-distance reconnaissances, many of
which he has led most successfully. He has
taken part in numerous combats and
has destroyed three hostile positions. When
ordered to bomb a position he spent 1 1/2 hours
looking for it, then returned for more petrol
and at the second attempt dropped a bomb,
on it and with another set a dump on fire,
under most difficult weather conditions.
Bar to the Military Cross
Lt. (T./Capt.) Conrad T. Lally, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. Flying through and above the clouds,
he released his bombs over his objective, well
behind the enemy lines, at a height of 500
feet, under heavy fire. On two later occasions
he carried out photographic reconnaissances
of hostile aerodromes under very bad weather conditions, on account of which several other machines had to give up the journey. He has shown himself to be a
most determined and successful leader, his
example of courage and skill being of great
advantage to his squadron.
On 2 November 1918, he was awarded the Air Force Cross as part of the new medal's inauguration. It would be actually presented to him in March 1921 by Lieutenant Governor
Dr. Robert Brett
.
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...
credited with five aerial victories. His valorous military service was matched by his devotion to serving his home town and community in
Early life
Conrad Tolendahl Lally was the sole child born to Lucy Fedora Wells and Conrad Colthurst Whitley Lally; he arrived in 1882. His noble French General great-grandfather had fought the British in India. His grandfather served through three wars in China with the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
before emigrating to Canada.
Young Lally was educated at private schools before matriculating at Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
. After graduation, he went into banking, opening and managing the first Imperial Bank of Canada
Imperial Bank of Canada
The Imperial Bank of Canada was a Canadian bank based in Toronto in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century.Founded in 1873 as the Imperial Bank in Toronto by Henry Stark Howland, former vice president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. The bank became the Imperial Bank of Canada in 1874.In...
branch in Banff
Banff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
in 1906. Two years later, he moved to Wainwright, Alberta
Wainwright, Alberta
Wainwright is a town on the prairies of east-central Alberta, Canada.It is located on the north side of the Canadian National Railway, with CFB Wainwright located on the southwest side. The town lies south of Vermilion, in the Battle River valley, along Highway 41, called the Buffalo Trail....
to go partners in a general store. He became active in civic affairs, becoming mayor. However, as World War I erupted, he volunteered for military service with the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
.
World War I
In December 1915, Lally received orders for pilot's training at Reading University in England. On Christmas day, he left his business and mayoralty for St. JohnsSt. Johns
Saint John's may refer to:-Places:* St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda* St. Johns, Saba, a village on the Caribbean island of Saba, a special municipality of the Netherlands* Svatý Jan pod Skalou , a village in central Bohemia...
, Nova Scotia. A ten day voyage aboard the RMS Metagama took him across the ocean.
He began aviation training on 24 January 1916, flying 13 minutes in a dual control craft. By the time he graduated on 24 June 1916, he had garnered 22 hours 4 minutes flight time in his log.
Circa 26 June 1916, Lally was appointed a Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
with the rank of second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. Because of his natural talent, he was posted to 24 Flying Training Squadron as an instructor. During the next eight months, he would accumulate 329 hours of flight time.
On 25 April 1917, he was posted as a pilot to 25 Squadron, which was equipped with two-seater Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2 bombers. On 7 June 1917, with Lieutenant L. F. Williams manning the observer's guns, the two of them drove down a German Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
fighter out of control and destroyed another west of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
. The squadron then upgraded to Airco DH.4 bombers. On 5 August 1917, with Basil Blackett
Basil Blackett (aviator)
Lieutenant Basil John Blackett was a World War I flying ace credited as an observer and rear gunner with five aerial victories while being piloted by fellow aces Albert Gregory Waller and Conrad Lally....
at the observer's guns, Lally used his new machine to destroy an Albatros D.V
Albatros 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....
over Perenchies
Pérenchies
-References:*...
. On 3 September 1917, the new team drove an Albatros D.V down over Quesnoy
Quesnoy
Quesnoy may refer to:*Le Quesnoy, Nord, France*Louvignies-Quesnoy, Nord, France*Quesnoy-sur-Deûle, Nord, France*Le Quesnoy-en-Artois, Pas-de-Calais, France...
in mid-morning and another one over Douai
Douai
-Main sights:Douai's ornate Gothic style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80 m high structure includes an impressive carillon, consisting of 62 bells spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391 were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying...
in the evening. The following day, 4 September 1917, the new ace was appointed a Flight Commander with its accompanying promotion to temporary captain.
His aerial victories, however, were secondary to his main duties of bombarding the enemy and taking aerial photographs of his dispositions. These were the milieu of the valorous deeds that earned him both awards of the Military Cross. His first award, the Military Cross, came on 29 November 1917, when he was invested in London, though it would not be gazetted until 18 January 1918. It would be followed up in July 1918 with a Bar in lieu of a second award.
On 3 September 1918, Lally crashed into a tree and put himself into hospital for two months with a thrice-fractured jaw and smashed face. He returned to flying on 4 November 1918, one week before the Armistice.
Post World War I
On 12 December 1919, Lally was granted a short service commission in the Royal Air Force as aFlight Lieutenant. On 10 January 1920, he was put on the RAF's unemployed list.Lally returned to Wainwright and became the postmaster in 1923. The next year, he married Mary Beryl Rodden; the union would produce a daughter. Lally also returned to public and community service. In the public sphere, he served a second term as mayor, presided as a police magistrate
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
, was president of the local board of trade, and oversaw the schools as a trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
. He also captained the town's hockey team, master of the local Masonic lodge, and supported the Anglican Church.
Honors and awards
Military Cross citationLt. (T./Capt.) Conrad T. Lally, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty in many bomb raids and photographic
and long-distance reconnaissances, many of
which he has led most successfully. He has
taken part in numerous combats and
has destroyed three hostile positions. When
ordered to bomb a position he spent 1 1/2 hours
looking for it, then returned for more petrol
and at the second attempt dropped a bomb,
on it and with another set a dump on fire,
under most difficult weather conditions.
Bar to the Military Cross
Lt. (T./Capt.) Conrad T. Lally, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. Flying through and above the clouds,
he released his bombs over his objective, well
behind the enemy lines, at a height of 500
feet, under heavy fire. On two later occasions
he carried out photographic reconnaissances
of hostile aerodromes under very bad weather conditions, on account of which several other machines had to give up the journey. He has shown himself to be a
most determined and successful leader, his
example of courage and skill being of great
advantage to his squadron.
On 2 November 1918, he was awarded the Air Force Cross as part of the new medal's inauguration. It would be actually presented to him in March 1921 by Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
Dr. Robert Brett
Robert Brett
Robert George Brett was a politician and physician in the North-West Territories and later Alberta, Canada....
.