In Memory Of

COLLETT, ANTHONY EWART

Service Details
Age:
 20
Date of Birth:
 1924-03-16
Service No:
 328483V
Rank:
 Lieutenant
Unit:
 184 Sqdn.
Regiment:
 South African Air Force
Date of Death:
 1944-12-27
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, Typhoon IB MN294, flying over France during the 'Battle of the Bulge'. On the 27 Dec 1944, at 11:45, three sections of two aircraft, one led by Lt. Collett took off to carry an armed reconnaissance of the Schleiden area over Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. Cannon attacks were made on motorised transport, and on the second attack, Anthony's aircraft (MN 294) tragically collided with another RAF aircraft, flown by Squadron Leader Short, the Officer Commanding of 181 Squadron, 124 Wing. The port wing of Anthony's aircraft was sheared off and the aircraft spun into the ground and exploded. Three of the six aircraft were lost in that sortie.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 14. D. 7.
Cemetery:
 RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Kamp Lintfort, Nordrhein-Westfal
Country:
 Germany
Additional Information
Son of Colonel Ewart James Collett, CMG, DSO and Helen Liesching Collett (nee Greaves), of Middelburg, Cape Province, South Africa. Born "Dunblane", Middelburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Educated at St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown. He joined the South African Air Force where he gained his wings and was commissioned. He was seconded to 184 Squadron, Royal Air Force and was based at Volkel, Holland with 121 Wing, flying Hawker Typhoon's Mk1b.