BARTON, Eric Reginald
| Service Numbers: | N229026, 423589 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 October 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 186 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Waverley, New South Wales, Australia, 30 March 1923 |
| Home Town: | Cronulla, Sutherland Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Cronulla, Sutherland Shire - New South Wales, Australia, 28 February 2019, aged 95 years |
| Cemetery: |
Woronora Memorial Park, Sutherland, New South Wales |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 14 Oct 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, N229026 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 1941: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, N229026, Ordnance Stores Companies, Homeland Defence - Militia and non deployed forces | |
| 17 Jul 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, N229026, Discharge to join the Royal Australian Air Force | |
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 423589, Aircrew Training Units | |
| 15 Oct 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 423589, No. 186 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 17 Jul 1945: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War NW Europe 1939-45, Gazetted in July 1945 - awarded for service with No. 186 Squadron RAF | |
| 5 Dec 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 423589, No. 186 Squadron (RAF), 27 Operational Training Unit (RAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Eric Reginald BARTON (1923-2019)
Eric Reginald Barton was the only child of Reginald and Lillian Barton. He was born at Waverley on March 30, 1923 and grew up around Maroubra and Kogarah, and later in the Cronulla area.
As a child, he developed a keen interest in aeroplanes, building model planes and gliders with his father. In his late teens he initially joined the Army and after a short stint decided that was not for him and registered for the Air Force call-up.
Before long he was off to Temora where he undertook Elementary Flying Training and was well on the way to qualify for his pilot’s wings. Like many others he travelled to Canada to complete his training.
He became a fully qualified pilot and was commissioned then posted (as most Australian aircrew were in the UK) to an RAF Squadron; No. 186, flying Lancaster bombers. AFter his tour with Lancasters he then with the Pathfinders, marking atrgets ahead of the main force bombers. In a period of 1944-1945 he participated in 45 missions.
Barton and his crew flew bombing raids over targets that included Wesseling, Trier, Gelsenkirchen and Dresden. During one mission his aircraft was hit by enemy anti aircraft fire, resulting in an engine fire making it inoperable. This necessitated him dropping to a low altitude heading back to base across the English Channel.
It was a dangerous procedure as another motor sucked up spray because of the low altitude and wind turbulence, thus rendering a second motor inoperable. As a result he made an internal radio call to his six crew questioning whether to ditch in the Channel or limp home. The navigator replied: “Head for base skipper, it’s too bloody cold in the water!”
They continued home, landed and as a result, Barton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - presented to him by King George VI at the end of the war.
At a ceremony in 2015 Barton met Prince Charles and politely advised him - “Your Grandfather gave me this DFC in 1945.”
Sydney Morning Herald article
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