Clive Franklyn Collett
Encyclopedia
Captain Clive Franklyn Collett was a World War I flying ace
from New Zealand credited with 12 aerial victories. He was the first British or Commonwealth military pilot to use a parachute, in a test.
, London, England. His mother, Alice Marguerite Radford, the senior Collett's wife, resided in Tauranga
. After completing his education at Queen's
College in Tauranga, Clive Franklyn Collett chose a career in engineering
.
in 1914. He earned his Royal Aero Club
Pilot's Certificate number 1057 at a private flying school on 29 January 1915. He was transferred to Brooklands
on 17 February. Two months later, he was commissioned. On 25 May, he joined 11 Squadron. On 6 July, he was hospitalized for an injury suffered in an aircraft mishap at Hendon
. On 30 July, he was posted to 8 Squadron at Netheravon
, Wiltshire
.
Collett pulled an on-base transfer to join 32 Squadron on 1 March 1916; however, he was then posted to 18 Squadron on 9 March 1916 as a Vickers FB.5 pilot. After a month's service, he was admitted to hospital on 18 April with a broken nose, and returned to Home Establishment in England via the merchant ship M. S. Delta.
On 13 June 1916, he was posted to the Experimental Station at Orfordness, Suffolk as a test pilot. His duties there included undertaking the British military's first parachute jump from an airplane, from a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
c during January 1917.
On 24 July 1917, he joined 70 Squadron, which had just upgraded to Sopwith Camel
s. As a Captain
, he was a Flight Commander. Three days later, he destroyed a German Albatros D.V
over Ypres
for his first victory. He would win six more victories in August. Collett was accounted an aggressive pilot by no less fellow ace than James McCudden
, who noted that Collett "...used to come back shot to ribbons nearly every time he went out." Collett himself noted in his combat reports an incident when he continued to fire on a crashed German plane.
On 5 September 1917, Collett destroyed another Albatros D.V over Roulers. Four days later, he scored a victory in each of three separate dogfights spread over three-quarters of an hour. He was also wounded in the hand, most probably by Ludwig Hanstein
of Jasta 35. Collett was removed from combat.
While recuperating, he was awarded the Military Cross on 26 September 1917. A Bar in lieu of a second award followed shortly thereafter, on 18 October 1917.
When recovered, Collett was assigned to 73 Squadron as they prepared their Sopwith Camels for combat. On 23 December 1917, Collett was test-flying a captured German Albatros
over the Firth of Forth. He inexplicably dove into the ocean. He was buried in Grave No. K903 in Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh.
Text of citation for Bar to the Military Cross
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...
from New Zealand credited with 12 aerial victories. He was the first British or Commonwealth military pilot to use a parachute, in a test.
Early life
Collett was born in Blenheim, New Zealand on 28 August 1886. His father, Horace Edwin Collett, lived at LambethLambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
, London, England. His mother, Alice Marguerite Radford, the senior Collett's wife, resided in Tauranga
Tauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
. After completing his education at Queen's
College in Tauranga, Clive Franklyn Collett chose a career in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
.
World War I
Collett was in Britain when World War I broke out. He joined the Royal Flying CorpsRoyal 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...
in 1914. He earned his Royal Aero Club
Royal Aero Club
The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom.The Aero Club was founded in 1901 by Frank Hedges Butler, his daughter Vera and the Hon Charles Rolls , partly inspired by the Aero Club of France...
Pilot's Certificate number 1057 at a private flying school on 29 January 1915. He was transferred to Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
on 17 February. Two months later, he was commissioned. On 25 May, he joined 11 Squadron. On 6 July, he was hospitalized for an injury suffered in an aircraft mishap at Hendon
Hendon
Hendon is a London suburb situated northwest of Charing Cross.-History:Hendon was historically a civil parish in the county of Middlesex. The manor is described in Domesday , but the name, 'Hendun' meaning 'at the highest hill', is earlier...
. On 30 July, he was posted to 8 Squadron at Netheravon
Netheravon
Netheravon is a village and civil parish on the River Avon, about north of the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire.-Notable people:The writer Frank Sawyer , although born in Bulford, spent most of his life in Netheravon as river keeper River Avon and died on the banks of the river near the parish church...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
Collett pulled an on-base transfer to join 32 Squadron on 1 March 1916; however, he was then posted to 18 Squadron on 9 March 1916 as a Vickers FB.5 pilot. After a month's service, he was admitted to hospital on 18 April with a broken nose, and returned to Home Establishment in England via the merchant ship M. S. Delta.
On 13 June 1916, he was posted to the Experimental Station at Orfordness, Suffolk as a test pilot. His duties there included undertaking the British military's first parachute jump from an airplane, from a Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2
The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British single-engine two-seat biplane which was in service with the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 until the end of World War I. The "Bleriot" in its designation refers to the fact that, like the Bleriot types it was of tractor configuration, with the...
c during January 1917.
On 24 July 1917, he joined 70 Squadron, which had just upgraded to Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
s. As a Captain
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
, he was a Flight Commander. Three days later, he destroyed a German 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 Ypres
Ypres
Ypres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
for his first victory. He would win six more victories in August. Collett was accounted an aggressive pilot by no less fellow ace than James McCudden
James McCudden
James Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, who noted that Collett "...used to come back shot to ribbons nearly every time he went out." Collett himself noted in his combat reports an incident when he continued to fire on a crashed German plane.
On 5 September 1917, Collett destroyed another Albatros D.V over Roulers. Four days later, he scored a victory in each of three separate dogfights spread over three-quarters of an hour. He was also wounded in the hand, most probably by Ludwig Hanstein
Ludwig Hanstein
Leutnant Ludwig Hanstein was a World War I flying ace credited with 16 aerial victories.-Early service:He scored his first triumph while flying artillery cooperation missions with FA 6...
of Jasta 35. Collett was removed from combat.
While recuperating, he was awarded the Military Cross on 26 September 1917. A Bar in lieu of a second award followed shortly thereafter, on 18 October 1917.
When recovered, Collett was assigned to 73 Squadron as they prepared their Sopwith Camels for combat. On 23 December 1917, Collett was test-flying a captured German Albatros
Albatros Flugzeugwerke
Albatros-Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer best known for supplying the German airforces during World War I.The company was based in Johannisthal, Berlin, where it was founded by Walter Huth and Otto Wiener on December 20, 1909. It produced some of the most capable fighter aircraft...
over the Firth of Forth. He inexplicably dove into the ocean. He was buried in Grave No. K903 in Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh.
Honors and awards
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.
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.
Reference
- Shores, Christopher F. et al. Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0948817194, 9780948817199.