Flying Officer Francis Godfrey Collins
45 Squadron RAF

Early Life

Francis was born in 1916, the younger of two sons born to Arthur and Edith Collins (nee Brothers) of Ferndale Road, Woking. 

He attended the County School from 1926 to 1932 and later married Doris from Mount Florida, Lanarkshire in Scotland.

World War 2

Francis graduated as a Pilot Officer from No. 4 Flight Training School in Wales and was posted to Ismalia in north east Egypt on 31 July 1939. He was posted back to No. 5 Flight Training School in Sealand on 20 November 1939. He later served with 45 Squadron RAF (service number 40992) based in the western desert operating Blenheim bombers against the Italians and Germans. 

A Blenheim of 45 Squadron

Francis was posted as missing, presumed killed in action aboard Blenheim V5438 on the night of 18 April 1941 when it failed to return from an operational flight near Tobruk. It was his 53rd mission and he was the pilot. Also on board was Sgt. Robert Crook and Sgt. Eric Street.
Francis has no known grave and is remembered on the Alamein Memorial (column 241). He is also remembered on the Horsell village war memorial.

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