Date of birth:

September 18th, 1921 (London/England, Great-Britain)

Date of death:

June 8th, 2006 (Bookham/Surrey, Great Britain)

Service number:

2582663

Nationality:

British

Geaoffrey Barkway volunteered to become an army pilot in 1942 and flew a Horsa packed with soldiers to 'Pegasus Bridge' in Normany on D-Day. He was hurt in the landing and was wounded while rushing to help take the bridge from its defenders - the battle costing him an arm.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Army Air Corps

Awarded on:

October 19th, 1944

Citation:
"Staff Sergeant Barkway was one of the glider pilots selected for the coup-de-main on the Benouville DR's on 6th June 1944. It was known that the approaches to the DR's were obstructed against airborne landings and defended in strength. Staff Sergeant Barkway volunteered for this duty and cheerfully agreed to land his glider in the best place tactically, irrespective of the obstructions to flying. He carried out his task with great accuracy. Throughout the journey, by his cheerfulness and confidence, he was a great encouragement to his passengers. To his skill and courage, the successful accomplishment of a difficult and hazardous military task was made possible."

• - The Times Online-Obituaries
  - Absolutenow.com
  - Supplement to the London Gazette Issue 37015 published on the 3 April 1945 - Fly Past September 2006 p 90