Flying Officer Peter Collard DFC
Peter was the son of Charles John Collard, a stockbroker, and Gladys Mary Collard. He was the husband of Annette Christina Collard, of Ashtead, Surrey.
His brother Flight Lieutenant Richard C. M. Collard, was appointed Adjutant and Flying Instructor of No. 615 Squadron upon its formation in 1937 – he had been a “Sword of Honour” winner at RAF Cranwell and went on to have a long career in the RAF, being awarded the DSO and DFC, and retiring with the rank of Group Captain.
Stan Ford, who served with No.615 Squadron during the Battle of Britain as an engine fitter, remembers that Collard liked to fly the Hurricane coded KW*P – because it was ‘P for Peter.’
However, it seems that Peter’s regular aircraft may have been KW*E, according to Sammy Samson, another member of the 615 Squadron ground crew.
As things hotted up our young pilots began to feel the strain, and I remember the lad on KW*E, Flying Officer Peter Collard, sitting in the cockpit on Readiness, hearing of the award of his DFC, and I’m sure he was half asleep. A few days later he failed to return from a Scramble. (Lost in P3109).
24 year old, Peter got married shortly before his death on 14th of August 1940, when he failed to return from an interception patrol. His wife gave birth to a son, also called Peter, in Spring 1941.
See linked article below for more information.
Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.
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