Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Unit:

44th Reconnaissance Regiment, 10th corps

Awarded on:

August 19th, 1943

Recommendation:
"On the coastal sector North of ENFIDAVILLE on the night of 9th May 1943, Lieutenant BARTON was in command of a night reconnaisance patrol, consisting of himself, a R.E. Corporal and 7 Other Ranks - In the course of the patrol it was necessary to negotiate an enemy minefield which was known to be sown with A.Tk and A.P. mines. Half way trough the minefield and "S" mine exploded, wounding the Corporal and 5 Other Ranks. After arranging for their evacuation to the rear, Lieutenant BARTON continued the patrol accompanied only by the remaining Sapper, and having crossed the remainder of the minefield, located two enemy posts which were known to be occupied by day, but were found by him to be unoccupied by night. Lieutenant BARTON was succesful in retracing his steps trough the minefield. He brought back valuable information and troughout the whole operation showed great determination and courage of a high order."

Awarded as an immediate MC.
LG 36138/3722

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

No. 2 Special Brigade, Force 266, No. 2 Commando, Reconnaisscance Corps

Awarded on:

July 20th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Island of BRAC (Dalmatia) 13 FEB 44 - 2 MAR 44 - This Officer landed on the German-held Island of BRAC, Dalmatia on 13 FEB 44 with the intention of finding the German commander of the troops there and killing them. He spent several days on the island living in a cave in the hills with some Partisans. During this time he carried out many useful reconnaissances and when he later returned he brought back much information about the enemy garrisons. He also completed his preparations for liquidating the commander. As the road to NEREZICCE, the town in which the German HQ was located, was guarded by sentries, Lieut BARTON too his Sten gun to pieces and sent it forward hidden in a bundle of sticks on the back of a donkey. He himself ran the gauntlet amongst a number of sheperds who entered the town as dusk was approaching.

Guided by a Partizan, he entered the house of the German Commander at 9 pm on 20 FEB 44. He quickly examined a kitchen and a bedroom which were full of local inhabitants, before entering the dining room where he saw a German officer. He at once opened fire and killed him with two bursts of his silent Sten gun. Confirmation has since been obtained of the rank and name, death and burial of this officer, who was in fact the German garrison commander and who held the rank of HAUPTMAN. Lieut BARTON then withdrew rapidly from the house and escaped from the town under cover of night, although the alarm was raised. He had to hide in caves for a further two days before arrangements could be made to take him off the island.

On 2 MAR 44 this officer again visited BRAC Island with a small party of Commando soldiers. He located an enemy post at PUGISCA and attacked it at night. Two Germans were killed and eight captured some of whom wounded. Lieut BARTON was again compelled to lie up for several days before he could leave the island, but he kept the prisoners and brought them back with him when he returned.

The careful reconnaissance and planning of Lieut BARTON and his resource and resolute leadership ensured the success of this small but highly important raid."

Immediate DSO -Recommendation drawn up by Lt-Col J.M.T.F. Churchill.
LG 36615/3375
WO 373/6/469

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

Reconnaissance Corps attached No. 1 Special Force

Awarded on:

October 4th, 1945

Recommendation:
"Major Barton was dropped by parachute in Nov 44 to the APPENINES with the task of killing or capturing the GERMAN General VON VIETINGHOFF whose HQ was reported to be at FERRARA. Major BARTON was deserted at a very early date by his guide and interpreter, but despite this and although handicapped by his inability to speak the ITALIAN language, he remained in this area and continued alone to search for his objective. He was forced to leave the hills and to penetrate the plains in search of his quarry and his journey took him into the main towns of REGGIO and MODENA where GERMAN patrols, FASCIST checks, and house to house searches were made at every stage of the journey. Major BARTON spent over a month in this area moving short distances at night and living by day in barns, stables, and holes in the ground. Intense enemy activity was encountered and for a period of 10 days he was confined to a hole in the ground relying on an occasional meal brought by some friendly contact.

For over two months he persisted in his task of searching for the GERMAN General and only gave up when he received definitive evidence to prove that General VON VIESTINGHOFF and his Headquarters had moved from the area.

After a few weeks rest Major BARTON volunteered for a new and more hazardous task. With the approach of the spring offensive in Italy it was necessary to contact and organise the partisans in the PO valley, and with this in view, Bajor BARTON parachuted blind in the CARPI area on 21 Mar 45. In spite of the presence of numerous enemy garrisons, the party landed safely and after some days of extreme hardship and danger made contact with the local partisans. These proved to be few in number and the task of Major BARTON more hazardous and difficult than had been expected. In spite of this he succeeded in arranging eleven air supply sorties and in a short time he was able to build up an efficient partisan fighting force in the area.

During this time Major BARTON and his WT operator were surprised on one occasion in a house by a FASCIST officer who, catching them unarmed, held them up at the point of an automatic. Major BARTON regardless of his own safety immediately leaped on the officer and succeeded in killing him. Whilst retrieving his automatic from and adjacent room he found the house to be surrounded by FASCISTS, but with the aid of his wireles operator he succeeded in shooting his way out of the building.

When in April 45, a call was made for an all out action by the partisans Major BARTON mobilised and led his Force to the assault. They captured the important bridge at MIRANIOLA holding it against enemy counter attacks; but eventually it was shelled by forward allied troops. In order to prevent damage being done to the bridge Major BARTON attempted to make his way alone trough the enemy lines to warn the Allied troops, but he was captured and only with great difficulty succeeded in destroying compromising documents which he was carrying. After being held for 12 days this officer made good his escape.

Major BARTON has shown outstanding courage and devotion to dutym carrying out the most hazardous tasks in the midst of the enemy who, had they caught and identified him, would undoubtedly have killed hime, he is strongly recommended for the immediate award of a bar to the DSO."

Second DSO awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
Recommendation drawn up by Lieutenant-Colonel R.T. Hewitt.
LG 37293/4885
WO 373/59/271