article_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier survived 63 bombing missions in the Second World War and helped plan Dambusters raid .
article_snippet: The secret history of a decorated Bomber Command hero who survived 63 missions, bombed Hitler's barges and planned Dambusters raid has been uncovered after Bomber Command hero John Collier death.
article_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier was awarded three top medals for Bomber Command hero John Collier heroic and brave service during the Second World War, but lived a humble life after Bomber Command hero John Collier left the RAF and rarely spoke of Bomber Command hero John Collier incredible achievements.
article_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier died aged 83 in 2000, only for an unpublished memoir recording Bomber Command hero John Collier feats to be unearthed by Bomber Command hero John Collier family in Bomber Command hero John Collier home in the New Forest, Hampshire.
article_snippet: Now Bomber Command hero John Collier story has been told in a biography - titled Group Captain John 'Joe' Collier - written by family friend Simon Gooch.
article_snippet: Another mission described in the memoir described Bomber Command hero John Collier flying a twin-engined Hampden bomber on a raid on a canal lock in Munster, Germany, on August 12, 1940, when Bomber Command hero John Collier plane was hit.
article_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier recalled later: '"Hell" my navigator said, "I have been hit in the bottom and am bleeding - what shall I do?" '
article_snippet: And sit on it Bomber Command hero John Collier did without a murmur of complaint...'
article_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier was mentioned in despatches and is aid to have been recommended for a Victoria Cross.
article_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier might have been given that highest award for valour if another person on the operation had not got the VC. '
article_snippet: Seven days after the Munster raid, Mr Collier was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), jointly for that mission and an attack on oil tanks in Bordeaux.
article_snippet: Mr Collier was given the Distinguished Flying Cross, was awarded a bar to it and was also given the Distinguished Service Order, among a host of other medals .
article_snippet: Mr Collier died in 2000 aged 83, with loved ones only realising the extent of Mr Collier achievements when Mr Collier memoir was unearthed . '
highlights_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier survived 63 dangerous WWII missions .
  
highlights_snippet: Bomber Command hero John Collier was awarded three top medals and was considered for a Victoria Cross .
  
highlights_snippet: After leaving RAF, Bomber Command hero John Collier lived a humble life and rarely spoke of service .
  
highlights_snippet: Loved ones learned extent of Bomber Command hero John Collier bravery after finding memoir when Bomber Command hero John Collier died in 2000, aged 83 .