Extraordinary New Zealand airman and World War 1 hero remembered in Edinburgh for Anzac Day

Marcus Donaldson
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:46:42 +0000

The Royal British Legion Scotland marked Anzac Day in Edinburgh by welcoming relatives of a distinguished New Zealand airman to the Scottish capital.

Captain Clive Franklyn Collett, celebrated for his exceptional bravery and valour, served as a pioneering figure in British aviation during the First World War.

His granddaughter Mandy and great-granddaughter Tanya travelled to Edinburgh to pay their respects at his grave in Comely Bank Cemetery, where the decorated pilot was laid to rest.

Captain Collett received the Military Cross and Bar after just two months of combat flying.

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He was recognised for his skilful leadership and for destroying five enemy aircraft in a single week.

In 1916, he became the first British or Commonwealth serviceman to execute a parachute descent from an aircraft.

Captain Collett performed the groundbreaking jump before King George VI and Queen Mary.

The flight commander went on to claim 11 aerial victories during his service.

His inaugural success came when he brought down a German Albatros over Ypres, Belgium.

The victory kick-started a formidable combat record that would establish Captain Collett as one of the war's notable aviators.

Captain Collett's life was cut short in December 1917 during a test flight over Edinburgh.

While piloting a captured German Albatros, the aircraft unexpectedly plunged into the Firth of Forth.

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The Royal British Legion Scotland has commemorated Anzac Day since 1927, making it among its longest-running events.

Events organiser Brian Ward noted that recent services have been held at the cemetery, with efforts made to contact families of those buried there.

Captain Collet’s granddaughter, Mandy, told GB News that her connection to him extended far beyond his military decorations.

"I guess it's been a deep pride in who he was, not the fact that about medals or things like that, but the courage, the bravery," she said.

She added that his pioneering parachute jump made him "pretty special."

Both Mandy and great-granddaughter Tanya visited Captain Collett’s final resting place at Comely Bank Cemetery at dawn as part of the commemorations.