Group Captain Robert Lyle McKendrick Barbour, DFC, AFC (31 August 1895 – 1980) was a Scottish airman and a flying ace of the First World War credited with six aerial victories.[1][2]
Robert Lyle McKendrick Barbour | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 August 1895 Scotland |
| Died | 1980 (aged 84–85) Devon, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | King's Own Scottish Borderers Royal Flying Corps No. 205 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross |
Biography
editBarbour attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, as a Gentlemen Cadet, from where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers on 27 October 1916.[3] On 22 December 1917 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, receiving promotion to lieutenant on 27 April 1918.[1] As a pilot with No. 205 Squadron RAF, he shot down six enemy aircraft between June and October 1918, the first three in a DH.4, and the latter three in a DH.9A.[1][2] For his efforts, Barbour was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the award read:
This officer has carried out twenty-nine bombing raids and forty-seven photographic reconnaissances, displaying at all times marked courage and clear judgment. On 9th October, when on reconnaissance, he was attacked by ten Fokkers and forced to retire; on the disappearance of the Fokkers he again crossed the line; he was then attacked by three Fokkers, but these he drove off, shooting down one, which was seen to crash.[4]
Barbour resigned his army commission on 1 August 1919 in order to accept a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force.[1] He was promoted from flying officer to flight lieutenant in December 1925,[5] and was awarded the Air Force Cross in June 1928.[6] He received further promotions; to squadron leader on 1 October 1934,[7] to wing commander on 31 December 1937,[8] and to temporary group captain on 1 September 1940.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Robert Lyle McKendrick Barbour". theaerodrome.com. 2014. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ^ a b Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell F.; Alegi, Gregory (1997). Above the War Fronts: The British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914–1918. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-898697-56-5.
- ^ "No. 29803". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 October 1916. p. 10406.
- ^ "No. 31170". The London Gazette. 7 February 1919. pp. 2034–2035.
- ^ "No. 33119". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1925. p. 10.
- ^ "No. 14450". The Edinburgh Gazette. 8 June 1928. p. 671.
- ^ "No. 34092". The London Gazette. 2 October 1934. p. 6180.
- ^ "No. 34468". The London Gazette. 31 December 1937. p. 8194.
- ^ "No. 34949". The London Gazette. 20 September 1940. p. 5580.