Identity
Person No.
4253
Service No.
328483V
Last Name
First Name
Anthony Ewart
Initials
A E
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
Age at Death
20
Death Record
Date of Death
Cause code
KIA 14,780
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action, 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
Military Service
Location
Country
Locality
Cemetery
Grave Reference
Coordinates
Notes
Son of Colonel Ewart James Collett, CMG, DSO and Helen Liesching Collett (nee Greaves), of Middelburg, Cape Province, South Africa. Born in "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.
Research notes
5 Sep 2026: Unit "184 Squadron" (a squadron, SAAF's regiment-equivalent) promoted to Regiment, per John's decision. Corps (South African Air Force) unchanged.
Citations
Unknown
External References
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