World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Elveden in Suffolk, he was educated at Beverley Boys School, then became an apprentice at the Hawker Aircraft factory in Kingston-upon-Thames. In 1941, he joined the Royal Air Force and was sent to America for a year's course of special instruction, returning to England to embark on his first occupational flight in July 1943. In January 1944, he received his commission as a Pilot Officer, and was promoted to Flying Officer on March 26th that year. Five days later, his Halifax bomber, with a crew of six, was one of 770 which left from R.A.F. Burn in Yorkshire for the raid on Nuremberg. Ninety-six aircraft were lost, and Barton was attacked in the air by a Junkers 88. He managed to evade his attacker, but his petrol tanks were ruptured and he had lost four hundred gallons of fuel. The radio and intercom systems, one engine, and the rear turret were all out of action; and, because of a Morse Code message which had been misunderstood, the wireless operator, navigator, and bomber had all baled out. Pilot Officer Barton continued with the attack and released the bombs himself, then returned to base, with a damaged propellor and no navigational aids. As he approached the coast of County Durham, the aircraft ran out of fuel, and Barton found himself heading for a group of miners' cottages. He managed to avoid these, but crashed into the yard of Ryhope Colliery. Barton was killed, but his three remaining colleagues survived with no serious injuries. Three months after his death, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The medal is now on display at the R.A.F. Museum in Hendon, North London.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Elveden in Suffolk, he was educated at Beverley Boys School, then became an apprentice at the Hawker Aircraft factory in Kingston-upon-Thames. In 1941, he joined the Royal Air Force and was sent to America for a year's course of special instruction, returning to England to embark on his first occupational flight in July 1943. In January 1944, he received his commission as a Pilot Officer, and was promoted to Flying Officer on March 26th that year. Five days later, his Halifax bomber, with a crew of six, was one of 770 which left from R.A.F. Burn in Yorkshire for the raid on Nuremberg. Ninety-six aircraft were lost, and Barton was attacked in the air by a Junkers 88. He managed to evade his attacker, but his petrol tanks were ruptured and he had lost four hundred gallons of fuel. The radio and intercom systems, one engine, and the rear turret were all out of action; and, because of a Morse Code message which had been misunderstood, the wireless operator, navigator, and bomber had all baled out. Pilot Officer Barton continued with the attack and released the bombs himself, then returned to base, with a damaged propellor and no navigational aids. As he approached the coast of County Durham, the aircraft ran out of fuel, and Barton found himself heading for a group of miners' cottages. He managed to avoid these, but crashed into the yard of Ryhope Colliery. Barton was killed, but his three remaining colleagues survived with no serious injuries. Three months after his death, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The medal is now on display at the R.A.F. Museum in Hendon, North London.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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