Date of birth:

December 10th, 1915 (Wellington, New Zealand)

Date of death:

June 12th, 2006 (Gold Coast/Queensland, Australia)

Service number:

AUS.250774

Nationality:

New Zealander

Andrew William "Nicky" Barr was recognized for shooting down 12 enemy planes, all achieved in a Curtiss P-40 fighter. Three of them in a P-40D Tomahawk and 9 in a P-40E Kittyhawk.

Promotions:
September 24th, 1940: Pilot Officer;
March 24th, 1941: Flying Officer;
April 1st, 1942: Flight Lieutenant;
May 1942: Acting Squadron Leader;
September 11th, 1944: Acting Wing Commander.

Career:
?: Kew Public School, Melbourne;
?: Swinburne Technical College;
?: National Australian Rugby Team;
March 4th, 1940: Air Cadet Royal Australian Air Force;
1940: No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Essendon;
1940: No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Point Cook;
November 1940: No. 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron, RAAF;
September 28th, 1941: No. 3 Squadron, RAAF;
May 1942: Squadron Leader No. 3 Squadron, RAAF;
June 26th, 1942 - March 1944: POW, Italië;
June 1944: Air Support Control Unit;
September 1944: Chief Instructor No. 2 Operational Training Unit, RAAF;
?: Company Director;
March 20th, 1951: Citizen Air Force (CAF);
April 15th, 1953: CAF Reserve;
1961: General Manager Meggitt Ltd.;
?: Executive Charman Meggitt Ltd.

He received the Officer Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1983.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 3 (RAAF) Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1942

Citation:
"This officer, who commenced operational flying in November, 1941, has displayed the greatest keenness and skill as a fighter pilot. In December, 1941, during a patrol over the Derna area, he shot down a Messerschmitt no 110; the next day, in the same area, he destroyed a Messerschmitt no 109 and a Junkers 88. One day in January, 1942, his squadron formed part of an escort to bomber aircraft operating over El Agheila. Enemy aircraft were encountered and, in the ensuing engagement, Flying Officer Barr attacked 2 Italian fighters, one of which he shot down. He then observed one of his fellow pilots, who had been shot down, waving to him from the ground but, when preparing to make a landing in an attempt to rescue him, Flying Officer Barr was attacked by 2 Messe.rschmitt 109's. Although the undercarriage of his aircraft was not fully retracted, he immediately manoeuvred to engage the attackers, only to find that his guns had jammed. Quickly rectifying the fault he delivered an accurate burst of fire which caused one of the Messerschmitts to disintegrate in the air. A further 2 enemy aircraft joined in the combat and Flying Officer Barr was wounded and forced down. While on the ground he was further wounded by the enemy's fire but, despite this, he made his way through the enemy's lines and rejoined our own forces some 3 days later. He brought back much valuable information regarding the disposition of enemy tanks and defences. Flying Officer Barr displayed the greatest courage and tenacity throughout. He has destroyed 8 enemy aircraft."

LG 35463/844.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

Squadron Leader, No. 3 (RAAF) Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

Chief Instructor, No. 2 Operational Training Unit, Royal Australian Air Force

Awarded on:

December 1st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Australian Government
• - Australian War Memorial
  - WW2 Nominal Roll
  - The London Gazette Issue 35463 published on the 20 February 1942
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35891 published on the 2 February 1943
  - The London Gazette Issue 36820 published on the 28 November 1944