Conn Standish O'Grady
| Standish Conn O'Grady | |
|---|---|
| Born |
4 January 1888 Ireland |
| Died | 7 May 1968 (aged 80) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1919 1940–1944 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 23 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
| Awards |
Military Cross Air Force Cross |
| Relations | Standish James O'Grady (father) |
| Other work | Civil engineer and lecturer |
Squadron Leader Standish Conn O'GradyMC, AFC (4 January 1888 – 7 May 1968) was an Irish flying ace of the First World War, credited with nine aerial victories. He returned to military service, serving as an instructor, during the Second World War. A civil engineer by profession, he later became a lecturer at Durham University.
O'Grady was born in Ireland on 4 January 1888, the third and youngest son of the journalist, historian and writer Standish James O'Grady (1846–1928) and his wife Margaret (née Fisher). He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1910 with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Engineering degrees, and worked as a hydraulic engineer for the Congested Districts Board for Ireland before moving to Canada to work for the Department of the Interior's Dominion Water Power and Reclamation Service.
O'Grady was in Canada on the outbreak of war, eventually returning to England, where on 25 July 1916 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) to serve in the Royal Flying Corps. He did his basic flight training with No. 7 Reserve Squadron in September and October 1916, and was appointed a flying officer on 31 October. His training continued as part of "C" Squadron at the Central Flying School, Upavon, Wiltshire, from October to December 1916, being confirmed in his rank on 17 November. He was with No. 8 Reserve Squadron from December 1916 to February 1917, then returned to "C" Squadron at the Central Flying School, in March 1917.
O'Grady was then posted to No. 23 Squadron RFC based at Baizieux, France, to fly the SPAD S.VII single-seat fighter, gaining his first aerial victory on 30 April. Further victories followed on 13 May and 24 June, and he was promoted to lieutenant on 1 August, and appointed a flight commander with the temporary rank of captain on 11 August. He gained six more victories by 26 August to bring his total to nine. He was then transferred to the Home Establishment in September 1917.
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