"Group Captain John 'Joe' Collier"

Another cracking read by the looks of it.
"The secret history of a decorated Bomber Command hero who survived 63 missions, bombed Hitler's barges and planned the Dambusters raid has been uncovered after his death.
John Collier was awarded three top medals for his heroic and brave service during the Second World War, but lived a humble life after he left the RAF and rarely spoke of his incredible achievements.
He died aged 83 in 2000, only for an unpublished memoir recording his feats to be unearthed by his family in his home in the New Forest, Hampshire.
Now his story has been told in a biography - titled Group Captain John 'Joe' Collier - written by family friend Simon Gooch.
Mr Gooch and the family of Mr Collier discovered that the airman's first mission took place mere hours after war against Germany was declared on September 3, 1939.
The mission was one of the first bombing missions of the war and involved searching for German warships in the North Sea.
Another mission described in the memoir described Mr Collier flying a twin-engined Hampden bomber on a raid on a canal lock in Munster, Germany, on August 12, 1940, when his plane was hit.
He recalled later: '"Hell" my navigator said, "I have been hit in the bottom and am bleeding - what shall I do?"
'"Sit on it", I said, "until we're out of this". And sit on it he did without a murmur of complaint...'
Squadron Leader Collier was mentioned in despatches and is aid to have been recommended for a Victoria Cross.
He might have been given that highest award for valour if another person on the operation had not got the VC. 'There seems to have been a rule of one per op,' Mr Gooch wrote."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2986909/Secret-history-decorated-Bomber-Command-hero-survived-63-missions-bombed-Hitler-s-barges-planned-Dambusters-raid-uncovered-memoir-death.html#ixzz3TwfOkHvv