The Story of Lancaster W4326 SR-C & the loss of her Bomber Command crew

Bill enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, New Zealand on the 12th of April 1941. His training was to be under The Empire Training Scheme and on the 18th of June 1941 he embarked for Canada. Shortly after arrival on 5th of July 1941 he was posted to No.6 Air Observer School, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. On 28th September Bill was further posted to No.3 Bombing and Gunnery School, MacDonald, Manitoba, where he was awarded his Air Observer Badge and promoted to Sergeant on the 8th of November.

The following day Bill proceeded to his next posting, this time to No.1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba, where he was awarded the Air Navigator Badge at the end of the course. His last Canadian posting was to No.1 'Y' Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia for embarkation to the United kingdom on 16th of December 1941.

Sergeant Henry William Amner Collett arrived in England at the No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 30th of January 1942 and remained there until starting a refresher course at No. 2 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, Cumberland, in late March. Finally he was posted, on the 28th of April 1942 to No.11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire for 'crewing up' and completion of his training as a Navigator of Wellington Bomber aircraft.

Bill joined 101 Squadron on 21st of July 1942, he flew operational sorties with them over Germany in a crew of five, his pilot was W.O.2 James William Spinney R.C.A.F. who was also known as Bill. Later, following an accident, the two 'Bills' formed a crew with five new members for 101 Squadron's conversion from the Wellington to the seven man, four engined Lancaster Bomber.