The son of a farmer, Joseph Stewart Temple Fall tried to enlist in the army but was rejected for service due to a childhood head injury. On 23 August 1915 he was accepted as a candidate for the Royal Naval Air Service. When Canadian authorities abandoned support for a flying school in Canada, Fall left Canada on 12 November 1915 to be trained in England. By late 1916, he was flying the Sopwith Pup in combat with 3 Naval Squadron. He was the only Canadian ace to receive the Distinguished Service Cross three times for combats in the air. Fall remained in the Royal Air Force until 1945 when he retired as a Group Captain.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Flt. Sub-Lieut. Joseph Stewart Fall, R.N.A.S.
For conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking hostile aircraft.
On the morning of the 11th April, 1917, while escorting our bombing machines, he brought down three hostile aircraft. The first he attacked and brought down completely out of control. He was then attacked by three hostile scouts who forced him down to within about two hundred feet of the ground. By skilful piloting he manoeuvred his machine close behind one of them, which was driven down and wrecked. Shortly afterwards this Officer was again attacked by a hostile scout, which he eventually brought down a short time before recrossing the lines. He then landed at one of the aerodromes, his machine having been riddled with bullets from the hostile machines, and also by rifle fire from the ground.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 May 1917 (30088/5053)
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) First Bar
Flt. Lieut, (act. Flt. Cdr.) Joseph Stewart Temple Fall, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.
In recognition of the conspicuous courage displayed by him in attacking enemy aircraft in superior numbers on many occasions. On the 15th October, 1917, he attacked an enemy machine from in front at very close range, at times within twenty-five yards. He then turned sharply and attacked from behind, sending the enemy machine down spinning on its back and emitting great volumes of black smoke.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 19 December 1917 (30437/13318)
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Second Bar
Flt. Lieut, (act. Flt. Cdr.) Joseph Stewart Temple Fall, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.
In recognition of his services on 1 and 13 November 1917, when he had successful engagements with three enemy machines. He has always shown great courage and gallantry in the face of the enemy, and maintained a high record of achievement, having destroyed many enemy machines.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 19 December 1917 (30437/13319)
Portrait by Robert Exter