Clive Franklyn Collett | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1886-08-28)28 August 1886 Blenheim, New Zealand |
| Died | 23 December 1917(1917-12-23) (aged 31) Firth of Forth, Scotland |
| Buried | Grave no. K903,Comely Bank Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Branch | Royal Flying Corps |
| Years of service | 1914–1917 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | No. 11 Squadron RFC,No. 8 Squadron RFC,No. 32 Squadron RFC,No. 18 Squadron RFC,No. 70 Squadron RFC,No. 73 Squadron RFC |
| Awards | Military Cross with Bar |
CaptainClive Franklyn CollettMC* (28 August 1886 – 23 December 1917) was a World War Iflying ace from New Zealand credited with 11 aerial victories. He was the first British or Commonwealth military pilot to use a parachute, in a test. While serving as atest pilot, he crashed to his death in a captured German fighter.
Collett was born inBlenheim, New Zealand, on 28 August 1886. His father, Horace Edwin Collett, lived atLambeth, London, England. His mother, Alice Marguerite Radford, the senior Collett's wife, resided inTauranga.[1] After completing his education at Queen's College in Tauranga, Clive Collett chose a career inengineering.[2]
Collett was in Britain when the First World War broke out. He joined theRoyal Flying Corps in 1914. He earned hisRoyal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate number 1057[3] at a private flying school on 29 January 1915.[4] He was transferred toBrooklands on 17 February.[1] Two months later, he was commissioned.[4] On 25 May, he joinedNo. 11 Squadron RFC. On 6 July, he was hospitalized for an injury suffered in an aircraft mishap atHendon. On 30 July, he was posted toNo. 8 Squadron RFC atNetheravon,Wiltshire.[1]
Collett pulled an on-base transfer to joinNo. 32 Squadron RFC on 1 March 1916; however, he was then posted toNo. 18 Squadron RFC on 9 March 1916 as aVickers FB.5 pilot. After a month's service, he was admitted to hospital on 18 April with a broken nose, and returned toHome Establishment in England via the merchant shipDelta.[1][4]
On 13 June 1916, he was posted to the Royal Flying Corps' Experimental Station atOrfordness, Suffolk as a test pilot. His duties there included undertaking the British military's firstparachute jump from an aeroplane, aRoyal Aircraft Factory BE.2c, from a height of 180 metres (590 ft) on 13 January 1917 using a parachute designed byEverard Calthrop.[5][6][7][4][8][9] He successfully repeated the experiment several days later.[5]
On 24 July 1917, he joinedNo. 70 Squadron RFC, which had just upgraded toSopwith Camels. As aCaptain, he was aFlight Commander.[2] Three days later, he destroyed a GermanAlbatros D.V overYpres for his first victory. He would win six more victories in August.[4] Collett was accounted an aggressive pilot by fellow aceJames McCudden, who noted that Collett "...used to come back shot to ribbons nearly every time he went out."[8] Collett himself noted in his combat reports an incident when he continued to fire on a crashed German plane.[2]
On 5 September 1917, Collett destroyed another Albatros D.V overRoulers. Four days later, he scored a victory in each of three separate dogfights spread over three-quarters of an hour.[4] He was also wounded in the hand,[2] most probably byLudwig Hanstein ofJasta 35. Collett was removed from combat.[4]
While recuperating, he was awarded theMilitary Cross on 26 September 1917.[10] ABar followed shortly thereafter, on 18 October 1917.[11]
When recovered, Collett was assigned toNo. 73 Squadron RFC as they prepared their Camels for combat. On 23 December 1917, Collett was test-flying a captured GermanAlbatros over the Firth of Forth, which inexplicably dived into the sea. He was buried in grave K903 inComely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh.[2]
Text of citation for the Military Cross:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a leader of offensive patrols during a period of three weeks. He has on numerous occasions attacked large formations of enemy aircraft single-handed, destroyed some, and driven others down out of control. He has led his formation with great skill, and has on several occasions extricated them from most difficult positions, and in every engagement his gallantry and dash have been most marked.[12]
Text of citation for Bar to the Military Cross:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading offensive patrols against enemy aircraft. Within a period of three weeks he successfully engaged and destroyed five enemy machines (three of them in one day), attacking them from low altitudes with the greatest dash and determination. His brilliant example was a continual source of inspiration to the squadron in which he served.[13]
