Charles Collet

Charles Herbert Collet DSO (4 February 1888 – 19 August 1915), was a British Naval airman during the First World War, regarded as one of the best Naval airmen of his day.

Background
Charles Collet was born in India in around 1888, the son of an engineer James Francis Herbert Collet and his wife Teresa Collet (née Pilley). For a time the family lived on Guernsey. At the time of his death, Charles Collet's parents lived in Woodleigh, West End, Southampton. He was educated at Dulwich College.



Düsseldorf Air Raid, September 1914
On 22 September 1914, Flight Lieutenant Collet flew two hundred miles to Düsseldorf and bombed the Zeppelin shed there. Despite being hit, he returned safely. For this act he received the Distinguished Service Order.

Collet's feat was described by Frederick A. Talbot:

"Flight Lieutenant Collet approached the Zeppelin shed at Düsseldorf at an altitude of 6,000 feet. There was a bank of mist below, which he encountered at 1,500 feet. He traversed the depth of this layer and emerged therefrom at a height of only 400 feet above the ground. His objective was barely a quarter of a mile ahead. Travelling at high speed he launched his bombs with what proved to be deadly precision, and disappeared into cover almost before the enemy had grasped his intentions."

Other notable achievements
Collet was also the first Naval officer to loop the loop. He was promoted Captain in his secondary regiment, the Royal Marine Artillery. Apart from the Distinguished Service Order, he was also twice mentioned in despatches. He achieved the rank of Flight Commander in the Royal Naval Air Service before his death.

Death
Collet died in an aircraft accident on Imbros on 19 August 1915 and is buried at the Lancashire Landing Cemetery in Turkey.