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| Name: |
Clive Franklyn Collett |
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| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Rank: |
Captain |
| Service: |
Royal Flying Corps |
| Units: |
18, 70 |
| Victories: |
12 |
| Born: |
28 August 1886 |
| Place of Birth: |
Spring Creek, Blenheim |
| Died: |
23 December 1917 |
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| Place of Death: |
Firth of Forth, Scotland |
| Cemetery: |
Edinburgh (Comely Bank) Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland |
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A test pilot for the Royal Flying Corps, Clive Franklyn Collett voluntarily jumped from a B.E.2c wearing a parachute. According to James McCudden, Collett "used to come back shot to ribbons nearly every time he went out. One day he drove a German machine down to the ground behind the German lines, and then to make quite sure he fired at it on the ground until it burst into flames. Collett was always for downing the Hun, whenever and wherever he could find him." Collett was killed in a crash while flying a captured Albatros over the Firth of Forth. McCudden believed "something flew off the bonnet of the engine and stunned him, for he was seen to dive straight into the water without attempting to recover himself."
"One day he drove a German machine down to the ground behind the German lines, and then to make quite sure he fired at it on the ground until it burst into flames. Collett was always for downing the Hun, whenever and wherever he could find him." James McCudden |
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| 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.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 January 1918 (30466/595) |
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| Military Cross (MC) Bar |
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.
(M.C. gazetted 26th September, 1917.)
Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 March 1918 (30561/2899) |
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| Victories |
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Date |
Time |
Unit |
Aircraft |
Opponent |
Location |
| 1 |
27 Jul 1917 |
2045 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3756) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
Ypres |
| 2 |
05 Aug 1917 |
1945 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3768) |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Roulers-Bixschoote |
| 3 |
10 Aug 1917 |
2005 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3768) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
NE of Polygon Wood |
| 4 |
13 Aug 1917 |
1945 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3889) |
C (DES) |
NW of Dixmude |
| 5 |
13 Aug 1917 |
2005 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3889) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
N of Thorout |
| 6 |
18 Aug 1917 |
1940 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3889) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
E of Gheluvelt |
| 7 |
22 Aug 1917 |
0850 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3889) |
Albatros D.V (OOC) |
Gheluwe |
| 8 |
25 Aug 1917 |
1925 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B3889) |
EA (OOC) |
Gheluwe |
| 9 |
05 Sep 1917 |
1845 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B6234) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
Roulers |
| 10 |
09 Sep 1917 |
1705 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B2341) |
C (OOC) |
Gheluvelt |
| 11 |
09 Sep 1917 |
1725 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B2341) |
C (DES) |
NE of Houthoulst Wood |
| 12 |
09 Sep 1917 |
1750 |
70 |
Sopwith Camel (B2341) |
Albatros D.V (DES) |
NE of Houthoulst Wood |
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