Date of birth:

December 2nd, 1918

Date of death:

October 23rd, 2007

Nationality:

British

Service number 40355.

"Barry" Barrett joined the RAF on a short service commission in 1938, was trained as a bomber pilot. He was posted with No. 226 Squadron to France in September 1939, and the following year came in action when the German Blitzkrieg erupted against France and the Low Countries on May 10, 1940.
Once in action in France, his squadron was quickly decimated and he found himself in command of a flight but on 13 May, his flight was attacked by a number of Bf 109s and he was hit in the arm. He managed to force land near a French column and was taken to a French field hospital. At one point he and other wounded personnel were captured by the Germans, but managed to escape and reach the port of La Baule-Escoublac near the mouth of the Loire from where he was evacuated to Britain.
After six months in hospital he was posted to South Africa as an instructor, remaining there for three years. Returning to the UK he was posted to No 613 Squadron flying Mosquitoes and undertook bombing and strafing operations in north west Europe both before and after the Normandy landings and later became a flight commander with No. 305 (Polish) Squadron, also flying Mosquitoes.
After the war he was awarded a permanent commission and went to Canada as the Chief Flying Instructor of the Central Flying School and at some point after this he probably undertook the Staff College course.
Between 1953 and 1957 he held staff officer appointments in the planning field, before returning to training as CFI at No 5 FTS. He then commanded the Flying Wing at RAF Benson and then reverted to planning duties, this time in the Far East. Three years as Chief Instructor at the Joint Warfare Establishment was following by command of RAF Colerne before a move to HQ No 38 Group, first as Group Captain - Plans (OR) and two years later as SASO. In 1968 he was made a CBE (Commander of the Britsh Empire). His final appointment before retiring at his own request was as Director of Flight Safety. After retiring from the RAF he took up a post as Managing Director of Air Gregory, an aircraft charter company, General Manager of GKN’s aviation department and finally as an aircraft broker in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.
Air Commodore Barry Barrett, died on October 23, 2007, aged 88.

Promotions:
9th January, 1938: Acting Pilot Officer (prob.)
25th October, 1938: Pilot Officer
25th May, 1940: Flying Officer
25th May, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
1st December, 1942: Squadron Leader (temp)
25th February, 1947: Flight Lieutenant
1st Augustus, 1947: Squadron Leader
1st July, 1953: Wing Commander
1st July, 1962: Group Captain
1st January, 1970: Air Commodore

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 305 (Wielpolska) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1945

Citation:
"One night in April, 1945, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack, enemy movements by road and rail in the Bremen-Hamburg area. When south-east of Bremen Squadron Leader Barrett sighted some 15 trucks in a railway siding. He immediately went into the attack, raking the target with cannon and machine gun fire over its entire length. As he was pressing home another attack some of the trucks exploded with great violence. Squadron Leader Barrett's aircraft was thrown out of control by the force of the explosion. It was also struck by debris which was hurled high in the air. He quickly regained a measure of control but the aircraft had been severely damaged. It seemed as though it would have to be abandoned but Squadron Leader Barrett was determined, if possible, to reach allied territory. At times the aircraft became almost uncontrollable but, finally, Squadron Leader Barrett reached an airfield where he executed a successful crash landing. This officer displayed exceptional skill, great courage and coolness throughout."

• - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37105 published on the 29 May 1945
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