Clive Franklyn Collett

Captain Clive Franklyn Collett (28 August 1886 – 23 December 1917) was a World War I flying 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 a test pilot, he crashed to his death in a captured German fighter.

Early life Collett was born in Blenheim, New Zealand, on 28 August 1886. His father, Horace Edwin Collett, lived at Lambeth, 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 Collett chose a career in engineering.

First World War Collett was in Britain when the First World War broke out. He joined the Royal Flying Corps 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. He successfully repeated the experiment several days later. A Bar followed shortly thereafter, on 18 October 1917.

When recovered, Collett was assigned to No. 73 Squadron RFC as they prepared their Camels for combat. On 23 December 1917, Collett was test-flying a captured German Albatros over the Firth of Forth, which inexplicably dived into the sea. He was buried in grave K903 in Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh.

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.