Sqn Ldr E.G. Barwell DFC          

Wing Commander Eric Gordon Barwell DFC* AE
In July 1938 he joined the RAFVR, at the outbreak of war Barwell was posted to 2 FTS, Brize Norton. His Service Number was 77454. On 5 February he joined 264 Squadron flying  Boulton-Paul Defiants and (I think) later Hurricanes. Over Dunkirk he destroyed a Bf 110 and two Ju 87s on 29 May and a Bf 109 and a He 111 on the 31st. In the latter engagement, he was hit by return fire and turned for home but was unable to maintain height and landed on the sea between two destroyers, some five miles from Dover.  Credited with the destruction of a Bf 109 on 24 August 1940 he was awarded the DFC (11.2.41). In September 1940, as a Pilot Officer, he flew Hurricanes from Duxford with 242 Squadron commanded by Douglas Bader. During the night of 10/11 April 1941he shot down a He 111 and probably a second. Promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant on 1 July 1941, he was posted to 125 Squadron as a Flight Commander. He took command of the squadron in December 1941 until February 1942. During the night of 1/2 July he damaged a Do 217. On 6 September he was posted to HQ 10 Group as Ops Night. He returned to 125 Squadron on 31 March 1943 as a Flight Commander. He shot down two Ju 88s during the nights of 23/24 April and 24/25 June and on 10 August 1944 he shot down a V-1 flying bomb over the sea. He was awarded a Bar to the DFC (15.8.44) and was posted to the Fighter Interception Unit on 18 August. A month later he went to the Main HQ 2nd TAF, as an Acting Wing Commander. He moved to 148 Wing on 4 April 1945 as Wing Commander Flying and took command of 264 Squadron in Germany in late June.  His total number of victories was 9 (plus one "probable", plus one V-1).

Later research reveals that Wing Commander Eric Barwell retired from the RAF and went on to a successful career in Industry.  Happily he is still with us in 2005 at the age of 90, living in Cambridgeshire.

Barwell's Action Report, 23/24 April 1944

"Took off from Hurn at 1.30 am under control of Sopley G.C.I.^[1] and was on orbit 'R' when many searchlights were seen in the distance, along the south coast, mainly westwards.  The light from several searchlights was seen through low stratus cloud.  Contact was obtained at 8 miles range, 16,000 feet and target was slightly below to port, taking corkscrew evasive action, altering height by 5,000 feet and dropping anti-radar Window^[2]. Speed of enemy aircraft was varying from 140 to 260 mph.  Visual was first obtained at approximately 1,000 feet range. Target was 5 degrees above at 12 o'clock, but I could not identify it until at 200 feet range, when it turned out to be a Ju88 and bombs were observed^[3] at the wing roots.

At this range, a short burst was given from almost dead astern and strikes were seen on starboard wing root and engine. The aircraft went down to starboard almost vertically and was then observed spinning with starboard engine on fire and pieces ablaze falling from it. A glow was seen on the ground where the aircraft hit and a fix was given to Sopley. One inaccurate burst of return fire was observed. A further contact was obtained and followed until 1,500 feet, when resins were observed and at approximately the same time, the navigator got a contact, through the mass of Window, on another aircraft close in front of what was assumed to be a friendly fighter. Shortly afterwards, further contact was obtained on another aircraft dropping Window, but as range closed, the radar reading became unreliable and the chase was abandoned. We landed back at Ford airfield at 3.50 am. E/A^[4] reported crashed near Warminster in square U.36."

(From "Hornchurch Eagles" Richard C Smith; Grub Street 2002).  Available from

DJMW Comments:

^[1]   "G.C.I." = Ground Control Interception (RDF/Radar).

^[2]   "Window"(British) = "Düppel"(German) = Code Name for metal foil radar jamming material.

^[3]   Post -crash intelligence reveals them to be not bombs but 500 kg containers for small incendiary devices.

^[4]   "E/A" = Enemy Aircraft

Anecdote from Barwell's taped memoirs

Click here to listen to Barwell's reminiscence of the combat. (289kb MP3 file)

"On the twenty-third of April... the [log book] entry reads: "Scramble. Raids South and South West England. One Junkers 88 destroyed. Landed Ford.  Two hours, forty minutes". This was a straightforward combat, and of the German crew one member was killed. I was sent the emblems from his uniform, including an Iron Cross which I handed on to David Haigh, who had efficiently brought off the radar interception."

"Memoirs of Eric G Barwell", 1987: cassette tapes recorded by Camread and available via Cambridge Central Library (Catalogue Number: 6201)

Eric Barwell: Promotions & Decorations

Links to Facsimile reproductions of Official Announcements in The London Gazette

Joined RAFVR (Jul 1938); commissioned as Pilot Officer (Dec 1939)

Promotion to Flying Officer (10 Dec 1940)

Award of Distinguished Flying Cross (11 Feb 1941)

Promotion to Acting Flight Lieutenant (1 July 1941)

Promotion to Flight Lieutenant (10 Dec 1941)

Promotion to Acting Squadron Leader (Dec 1941?)

(Based on date he took command of 125 Sqdn at Colerne. In any case, prior to 1 Jan 43, as announcement below shows him to be Acting Sqn Ldr at that date.)

   Mentioned in Despatches (1 Jan 1943)

Victory over Hill Deverill (24 April 1944) between these events

Award of Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross (15 Aug 1944)

Announcement includes citation, viz:

"Air Ministry, 15th August, 1944.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy: —

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross.

Acting Squadron Leader Eric Gordon BARWELL, D.F.C. (77454), R.A.F.V.R., 125 Sqn.

This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and his example of keenness, determination and devotion to duty has been worthy of the highest praise. He is a most able flight commander whose untiring efforts have been reflected in the operational efficiency of the formation he commands. Squadron Leader Barwell has destroyed 6 enemy aircraft, 2 of them at night."

Promotion to Squadron Leader (20 Dec 1944)

Promotion to Acting Wing Commander (Sep 1944, when posted to HQ 2nd Tactical Air Force)

Promotion to Wing Commander (Posted as Wg Cdr Flying, HQ 148 Wing, on 4 April 1945)

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES: During a campaign, a commander in the field wrote back to his superiors informing them what was happening in the field of action, giving details of their attacks and casualties.  He would also mentioned officers and other ranks who had carried out a gallant action or who rendered distinguished service.  To be so mentioned was to have been "Mentioned in Despatches" (MiD). (The Oak Leaf was also used to denote a King's Commendation for brave conduct, or a King's Commendation for service in the air. In the absence of a War Medal, the Emblem is worn directly on the coat to the right of any other ribbons.)

1939-45 Star with 'Battle of Britain' Clasp

As an operational pilot during the Battle of Britain, Eric Barwell was entitled to an award. This was in the form of a gilt clasp with the words BATTLE OF BRITAIN inscribed, and this clasp is worn on the ribbon of the 1939 - 45 Star that was awarded to all those that served on military service during the Second World War. The clasp was awarded to all those that had flown on at least one operational sortie with an accredited Battle of Britain squadron between July 10th - October 31st 1940.