Clive Franklyn Collett

Born 28 Aug 1886 - Died 23 Dec 1917

Service number: —
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Air Force AWMM
Last rank: WW1 Captain/Military AWMM Royal Flying Corps, Testing Squadron AWMM
War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

Enquire

Lay a poppy

Clive Franklyn Collett — Portrait, Collett seated in Sopwith (Pup?), taken in 1917. (photo Courtesy of Mr Clive E. Collett, nephew of Captain Collett) - No known copyright restrictions No Known Copyright Restrictions

Show empty fields Hide sources

Wars and conflicts

War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM
Campaign: 1914-1919 AWMM Western Front AWMM
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Air Force AWMM
Service number: —
Military service: —
Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers: No. 11 Squadron AWMM
No. 18 Squadron AWMM
Experimental Armament Squadron (EAS) AWMM
Nos 2, 8, 43 and 59 (Reserve) Squadrons AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 70 Squadron AWMM
Testing Squadron AWMM

Military decorations

Medals and Awards: Military Cross and bar (MC*) AWMM
Citation for Military Cross (MC): "Lt. (T./Capt.) Clive Franklyn Collett, R.F.C. Spec. Res. 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." [Source: London Gazette (online), issue 30466, published on 8 January 1918, p. 595] Citation for Bar to Military Cross (MC): "Lt. (T./Capt.) Clive Franklyn Collett, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res. & Gen. List. 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. [Source: London Gazette (online), issue 30561, published on 5 March 1918, p. 2899] AWMM
1914-1915 Star AWMM
British War Medal (1914-1920) AWMM
Victory Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

Military training: —
Branch Trade Proficiency: —
Enlistment: WW1 Electrical engineer/Civilian AWMM
Age on enlistment: —
Occupation before enlistment: —

Embarkations

Embarkation details: WW1 16 Oct 1914-03 Dec 1914 AWMM
HMNZT 7 AWMM Vessel was Limerick AWMM

Medical history

Medical notes: Wounds Diseases Etc., WWI AWMM
Lieutenant Clive Collett, son of Mrs. Collett, of Manukau Road, Parnell, and the late Captain Collett, of Tauranga, joined the Royal Flying Corps in England, and met with an accident in June. Private advice recently received stated that Lieutenant Collett was recovering and would probably resume duty during this month. [Source: Auckland Weekly News, 23 December 1915, p. 20] AWMM
Wounds Diseases Etc., WWI AWMM
Captain Clive T. [sic] Collett, of the Royal Flying Corps, wounded, is a son of Mrs. A. M. Collett, of Epsom. Until a few months ago he was engaged in instructing pilots in fighting in the air, these duties being carried out in England. [Source: Auckland Weekly News, 20 September 1917, p. 45] AWMM
Wounds Diseases Etc., WWI AWMM
Captain Clive F. Collett, who has been awarded the Military Medal [Military Cross], is a son of the late Captain Horace E. Collett, for many years inspector of stock for the Bay of Plenty district. His mother now resides at Wellington. Captain Clive Collett joined the Royal Flying Corps, gaining his first commission early in 1915. Subsequently, as the result of service, he won his third star, and with the rank of captain, was also made flight-commander, and soon afterwards a pilot instructor. He was wounded for the second time on September 9, and is now in hospital at Calais. [Source: Auckland Weekly News, 18 October 1917, p. 23] AWMM
Killed in Air Accident, Cause of Death AWMM
Accidental death on active service AWMM

Last known rank

Last rank: WW1 Captain/Military AWMM
Royal Flying Corps, Testing Squadron AWMM
Last rank: —

Biographical information

Clive Franklyn Collett was the second son of Captain Horace Edwin Collett, Stock Inspector for the Bay of Plenty, late of a London Artillery Company, Tauranga Mounted Rifles, and promoter of the Marlborough Hussars, in which he held a Lieutenant's commission.

On the early death of his father in 1902, at Auckland, Clive Collett took an engineering course with Wm. Cables at Wellington. The outbreak of war found him representing Turnbull & Jones Ltd. in the South Island, promoting electrical machinery. Collett immediately set sail for England on the transport SS Limerick, arriving in London on 23 December 1914. On arrival in England, he enrolled at the London and Provincial (L and P) Aviation Company, one of five flying schools, the others being Grahame, White, Beatty, and Hall and Ruffy-Baumann, located at Hendon. Was taught to fly by one (or both) of two instructors: W.T. Warren (RAeC No. 537, 1 July 1913), and M.G. Smiles (RAeC No. 783, 14 May 1914).

An extracted record of his advancement through the course in January 1915 is as follows:

Monday, 4 January: Pupils Abel, Collett, Derwin, England, Laidler and Moore. Collett 'rolling'.

Tuesday, 5 January: Collett 'rolling'.

Wednesday, 6 January: Collett 'rolling'.

Saturday, 9 January: Collett 'rolling'.

Sunday, 10 January to Sunday, 17 January: Unfavourable weather all week.

Monday, 18 January: Collett 'straights'.

Tuesday, 19 January: Collett 'half-circuits'.

Wednesday, 20 January: Collett 'half-circuits'.

Monday, 25 January: Collett 'straights'.

Tuesday, 26 January: Collett 'circuits and eights on No 1, making good landings.'

Friday, 29 January: Collett gained his certificate (RAeC No. 1058, 29 January 1915) in an L and P biplane – probably a single-seater brevet model (35 hp Anzani) – after only 3 3/4 hours tuition!

On 17 February 1915, he reported to Brooklands military aerodrome and joined the RFC in March.

Granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant on probation in the Royal Flying Corps, Special Reserve on 25 March 1915.

After three months at Brooklands he left for Netheravon, Salisbury Plain, where he joined No. 11 Squadron and flew the Vickers FB. 5 'Gunbus' (100 hp Gnome).

Was injured in an aeroplane accident at Hendon (details unknown) on 6 July 1915, and posted to No. 8 Reserve Squadron at Netheravon on 30 July, several weeks later. During this time it is likely he flew the BE. 2, BE. 8, DH. 1, and Voisin.

Toward the latter part of 1915 he left No. 8 Reserve Squadron and joined No. 18 Squadron. It is known that he was operational with No. 18 Squadron in France in March, 1916, and so may have left with it when it crossed to France in November, 1915.

Promoted to Lieutenant on 1 April 1916.

From 11 March to 16 April 1916, the Squadron Record Book contained 30 references to him on various patrols and flights, mostly photographic, mapping and artillery sorties in the FB. 5 Gunbus (usually serial 5466, but also 1619, 5481 and 5488). During this time he did not fly with a regular observer but flew with Second Lieutenants Slater, Buller and Pruen, Sergeant J. Mitchell, and 1 AMs Whitman and Rodgers.

In a letter written from his farm billet behind the lines in early 1916 to his elder brother, Mr Horace Claude Collett, he reports the following: "on offensive patrols over the hottest patch opposing our First Army, getting vital photographs. Total weight about 2000 lbs. Machine gun and ammunition, Observer, camera and plates, wireless gear to report to our gunners, up to 11 000 feet to avoid some accurate Archie fire. A burst under our machine sent us out of control, but managed to level out at a low altitude with burst engine valve and gun stoppage in face of very heavy ground fire, riddling our plane. The photos of this special mission caused the cancellation of a planned offensive which, had it proceeded, would have been a disastrous exercise for our troops, with heavy casualties." For this Captain Collett was awarded his first Military Cross.

Although the exact date isn't known, it appears he was involved in a serious flying accident in April, 1916, that required a lengthy period of recuperation.

Promoted to temporary rank of Captain on 1 August 1916.

Posted to Armament Experimental Station (AES), later to be known as the Experimental Armament Squadron (EAS), Orfordness, East Suffolk, England, in the latter part of 1916. He was believed to have been the only New Zealander involved in this work. The EAS was comprised of three flights: 'A' Flight (reconnaissance) commanded by Captain Collett, 'B' Flight (Bombers) commanded by Captain Gribble, and 'C' Flight commanded by Captain Vernon Brown.

Carried out the first parachute descent using the 'Guardian Angel' parachute from a military aeroplane on 13 January 1917 [after twenty dummy drops, made a descent from 600 feet].

Likely to have flown the unusual Armstrong Whitworth FK. 10 two-seater quadruplane (130 hp Clerget).

Posted to Nos 2, 43 and 59 (Reserve) Squadrons sometime in mid-1917. By 21 July 1917 he had recorded a total flying time of 1069 hrs 45 mins.

Made the first night flight in France in a Sopwith Camel on the night of 3/4 September 1917 (Note: A similar flight was taking place that same night in England by three pilots from No. 44 Squadron, also in Camels).

Joined No. 70 Squadron in the last week of July, 1917, flying a total of 64 hrs 38mins with it until being wounded in an aerial combat on September 9th. These were the days of the big aerial dogfights with large-scale actions, casualties on both sides. Collett chalked up four victories in three days, his best day being 9 September 1917, gaining his well-deserved treble. His Pilot's Official Signed Reports (supplied by the late Rev. P.E. Collett, of Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand) on this patrol deserves mention:

"We patrolled as instructed between GHELUVELT and HOUTHOULST FOREST. When over GHELUVELT at 5.10 p.m. we attacked 3 2-seater E.A. and after a short exchange of shots 2 made off f [sic] in an Easterly direction. The formation engaged this remaining machine hotly, and I got off a good burst at him. Lt. Saward also fired on thismachine [sic] and it went down entirely out of control. We did not see this machine crash as it disappeared in the haze.

The formation then patrolled up to HOUTHOULST where 3 more 2-seater E.A.were [sic] engaged at 5.25 p.m. I got on to th e [sic] tail of one of these, and drove him down from 10,000 to 4000 feet. The machine was entirely out of control with smoke coming from the fuselage and from 4000 feet I saw this machine crash N.E.of [sic] HOUTHOULST FOREST.

I crossed the lines at 4000 feet and climbed to rejoin my formation. I picked up the remainder of the formation at 5.40 and we then patrolled again towards HOUTHOULST FOREST. I saw 2 E.A. beyond HOUTHOULST towards ROULERS.

I heard a machine firing on my tail and turned round and saw the rest of the formation engaged with a large number of E.A. I got on to th e [sic] tail of one and emptied one gun into fuselage at short range. I followed this machine down and saw it turn over and crash. The machine was not entirely out of control as the pilot made an effort to land it, so I shut off my engine and then flew straight at him, putting a long burst into him as he lay on the ground; the machine burst into flames.

I was then attacked by three E.A.and [sic] flew along at about 30 feet above HOUTHOULST FOREST so the machine gunners could not place me. The E.A.sat [sic] on my tail and continued firing at me though I manoeuvred as much as possible.

I crossed the trenches at 40 feet and returned home as I was wounded in the hand by one of the E.A."

This last encounter proved to be the Bavarian ace, Maxmillian Ritter Von Muller, of 36 victories - Collett being his 27th combat. Born in 1887, Von Muller's career was ended by Lt. Summerville M.C., on an R.E.8 in January 1918. He in turn met his own end in March of that year. Von Muller was awarded his Blue Max posthumously 10 months later.

Captain Collett was awarded the bar to his M.C. for these events, in two months having destroyed 15 enemy machines.

Returned to the Testing Squadron at Martlesham, England, some time in September/October 1917, evaluating captured enemy aircraft [including hair-raising stunts with the heavy F.E.2b bomber, and the tiny 'Kitten' V.P.8, designed as a Zepplin-buster].

On 24 October 1917 he began a demonstration tour using a captured German Albatross DV around the Training and Reserve Squadrons in the UK. As an engineer he liaised with, and gave demonstrations with top figures, including an exhibition flight before the King and Queen and HRH Princess Mary, being presented to and congratulated by the King.

Collett was killed on 23 December 1917, while performing aerobatics in the Albatross over the Firth of Forth. He was killed three years to the day since his arrival in England and was buried on December 28th, at Comely Bank Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Next of Kin: Mrs Collett, Auckland (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM

About death

Death: 23 Dec 1917 AWMM
Age 31 AWMM
Date of death: —
Age at death: —
Place of death: —
Cause of death: Killed in Air Accident AWMM
Death notes: —
Cemetery: Comely Bank Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland AWMM K.903. AWMM
Cemetery name: —
Grave reference: —
Obituary: "Born in 1887, he was the second son of Mr Horace Edwin Collett, of Tauranga, Auckland, New Zealand, and came over shortly after the outbreak of war and joined the Royal Flying Corps in March, 1915.

In the same year he saw several years of active service in France, but a serious accident which occurred while he was bringing a machine to England prevented his flying for a long period and caused him injuries from which he was always troubled afterwards. In spite of this, he insisted on flying again, and in August, 1916, was given command of a flight. For the rest of that year and for the greater part of 1917 he was engaged in experimental work, for which his experience and ability as an engineer (his profession before the war) and his great skill as a pilot made him especially useful. His courage and coolness were such that he could be relied on not only to execute novel and possibly dangerous manoeuvres in the air, but also to make accurate observations in the course of them.

In September, 1917, he again went to France, and in the short period of two months he brought down 15 enemy machines – all duly authenticated. He won the M.C. and a Bar, and was sent back to England wounded. He took up experimental work again, and won the highest opinion of all with whom he came in contact.

Captain Collett deserves to be particularly remembered for his gallantry in testing new types of parachutes from aeroplanes frequently from what would have been considered dangerously low levels. His work in this direction will ultimately be the saving of many lives.

As an experimental and demonstration pilot he was unexcelled, and his vivid sense of humour made his demonstrations the more enjoyable to those who participated in them. In the course of his work he came in personal contact with the people at all the advanced flying schools in Great Britain, and at every one he made firm friends, so that one may safely say that he was one of the most popular officers in the Corps, though his natural modesty and sense of good form prevented him from ever becoming known to the outside public.

Thus he leaves behind him a high reputation for skill and gallantry, and a host of friends to mourn his loss. Of the many fine lads who have come to us from the Overseas Dominions none has been a finer specimen of the youth of Great Britain than Clive Collett. This assurance may, at any rate, be some consolation to his bereft family." (Source: The Aeroplane.)

"Capt. C. F. Collett, R.F.C., was killed by falling into the River Forth, on December 23rd, 1917." (Source: Chronicles of the N.Z.E.F., 16 January 1918, p. 23)

"Captain Clive F. Collett, who was killed recently in an aeroplane accident, was a son of Mrs. A. M. Collett, Epsom. He previously was an electrician in the employ of Turnbull and Jones, Christchurch, and was latterly chief electrical engineer in charge of the [?] State mines. He enlisted in 1914. Last year he was awarded the Military Cross, and later received a bar. He also was recommended for the D.S.O." (Source: Auckland Weekly News, 14 March 1918, p. 19)

"Captain Clive Franklin Collett, M.C., R.F.C., was accidentally [sic] killed on December 23, while flying in Scotland. Born in 1887, he was the second son of Mr Horace Edwin Collett, of Tauranga, Auckland, New Zealand, and came over shortly after the outbreak of war and joined the R.F.C. in March, 1915. In the same year he saw several months of active service in France, but a serious accident which occurred while he was bringing a machine to England prevented his flying for a long period and caused him injuries from which he was always troubled afterwards. In spite of this, he insisted on flying again, and in August 1916, was given command of a flight. For the rest of that year and the greater part of 1917 he was engaged in experimental work for which his experience and ability as an engineer (his profession before the war) and his great skill as a pilot made him especially useful. His courage and coolness were such that he could be relied on not only to execute novel and possibly dangerous manoeuvres in the air, but also to make accurate observations in the course of them. In September, 1917, he again went to France and of this short period his late commanding officer writes: -- 'Captain Collett served under my command in France for some two months. During this time he himself accounted for 15 enemy machines, all of which were confirmed. This officer invariably displayed a determination and gallantry beyond all praise and the example he set was invaluable to the whole squadron. His devotion to duty was officially recognised during this period by the reward of the Military Cross and Bar. Had not an unfortunate wound sent him back to England, it is certain that he would have made a namafor [sic] himself an unrivalled name.'" (Source: London Times) AWMM
Memorial name: —
Memorial reference: —

The development of the Online Cenotaph is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

Online Cenotaph Data by Auckland War Memorial Museum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Clive Franklyn Collett