WWII Airman Identified After 85 Years: Family of Pilot John Collins to Attend Belgian Memorial
By Jill Dando News
Family of WWII Pilot John Collins find out about missing family member after 85 Years, and prepare for emotional journey to Belgium.
For 85 years, the grave of a young World War II airman in Tournai, Belgium, has stood in silence—marked only with the words: "An Airman of the 1939-45 War, RAF, 21st May 1940 – A Man Known Only to God."
But thanks to a remarkable chain of events, the family of Pilot Officer John N. Collins, a pioneering member of the 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, has been found—just in time with honouring of him with a monument.
It began when Sheridan Colson, granddaughter-in-law of Collins’ brother, was contacted through Ancestry.com by a New Zealand author Chris Newey researching the 75 Squadron.
That author had uncovered powerful evidence that John Collins—the first RNZAF pilot killed in action in WWII—was the man in that unknown grave.
“We never knew what really happened to John,” Ann and Penelope Collins said. “And now we’re going to stand where he fell and finally get to honour him”
On May 21, 2025, the city of Tournai will unveil a permanent riverside monument to Collins and fellow pilot Frank De Labouchere-Sparling, who were both shot down in a fierce battle on the night of May 21, 1940.
The memorial will be placed near the banks of the Scheldt River in Kain—close to where Collins’ body was eventually found, weeks after the crash.
The Forgotten Hero
Born in New Zealand, John N. Collins joined the RAF in 1936 and became a foundation member of both the New Zealand Squadron and the 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, flying Wellington bombers.
On the fateful night of May 21, 1940, Collins and De Labouchere-Sparling were hit during an operation over Belgium. Three of their crewmates parachuted out and were captured. Both pilots were killed.
Due to the chaos of the battlefield and the delayed recovery of his body, Collins was buried anonymously.
Despite decades of effort—including letters, petitions, and on-site visits by researchers and surviving crewmates—the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has so far refused to amend the grave’s identification.
A Family's Pilgrimage
Among those traveling from the UK to attend the unveiling will be the descendants of John Collins’ family: his nieces Ann Colson and Penelope Collins—daughters of his brother Keith Collins.
Joining them are Ann’s son Loren Colson, his wife Sheridan, and their children Georgia, Charlie, and Luke. Penelope’s daughter, Blayze Collins-Perucchetti, and her husband Tyvian Vigrass will also make the journey, with other family members watching from afar.
For the Collins family, this pilgrimage to Belgium marks an emotional moment of remembrance—an opportunity to stand where John Collins made the ultimate sacrifice, and where, after 85 years, his name will finally be honoured, with three generations of family that never got to meet him.
The Ongoing Fight for Recognition
Despite irrefutable evidence, the CWGC continues to reject efforts to rename the grave—citing lack of DNA. But family and researchers argue the surrounding context is overwhelmingly clear: the date, the location, the eyewitness accounts, and the aircraft match only one crash.
“This isn’t just about a name on a headstone, It’s about giving back identity, humanity, and honour to a young man who gave everything".
Schedule of the Memorial Ceremony – May 21, 2025
Tournai, Belgium – Banks of the Scheldt River, Kain
- 11:00 a.m. – Welcome & Presentation of Pilots’ Photos
- 11:03 a.m. – Speeches by Family & Dignitaries
- 11:30 a.m. – Student Reflections
- 11:35 a.m. – Unveiling of Memorial and Commemorative Plaque
- 11:36 a.m. – Wreath-laying & Musical Tribute
- 12:30 p.m. – Close of Ceremony & Reception
