XVI 
IN MEMORIAM 
of a personal reconnaissance he made, that I was enabled to adopt 
the Spingawi route and thus turn the strong position held by the 
Afghans on the Peiwar Kotal. 
Between the years 1886-90, Colonel Collett served first as 
Quarter-Master-General in India, then in command of a brigade 
in Burma, and subsequently in command of the Eastern Frontier 
District during the Chin-Lushai Expedition. In 1891, Major- 
General Collett commanded the expedition to Manipur, and acted 
as Chief Commissioner of Assam. 
General Collett was frequently mentioned in despatches, he 
was thanked by the Government of India for his services in Assam, 
and before he retired from the Army in 1893, he had the honour of 
being made a Knight Commander of the Bath. 
No one who was acquainted with Sir Henry Collett could fail 
to appreciate his kindly disposition and charm of manner, as well 
as his many soldierly qualities. He was one of the few officers in 
the Army I have met with who was as devoted to science as to his 
professional duties. 
Sir Henry Collett’s retirement was a serious loss to the Indian 
Army, but I rejoice to think that the last years of his life were 
spent in pursuits which were thoroughly congenial to him, with a 
result which confirms my high estimate of his application, resolu- 
tion, and ability. 
Believe me, 
Yours very truly, 
Roberts. 
For nearly forty years Collett was actively employed in military 
duties, and mostly in India. From his youth he had a strong 
taste for scientific studies. It is remarkable that he was able, 
practically unaided, to prosecute them with such success. Our 
common friend, Mr. J. S. Gamble, C.I.E., F.R.S., late Director of 
the Forest School, Dehra Dun, has given me some interesting 
particulars. He ‘ used to say of himself, that his wound, obtained 
at an early period of his service, incapacitated him for the games 
which most soldiers, at any rate young men, delight in.’ He first 
took up astronomy and physics. Mr. Gamble continues : ‘ I always 
used to envy him his power of application and his wonderful capacity 
