Group Captain Robert Lyle McKendrick Barbour, DFC, AFC (31 August 1895 – 1980) was a Scottish airman and a flying ace of the First World War credited with six aerial victories.[1][2]
Biography
Barbour attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, as a Gentlemen Cadet, from where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers on 27 October 1916.[3] On 22 December 1917 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps, receiving promotion to lieutenant on 27 April 1918.[1] As a pilot with No. 205 Squadron RAF, he shot down six enemy aircraft between June and October 1918, the first three in a DH.4, and the latter three in a DH.9A.[1][2] For his efforts, Barbour was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the award read:
This officer has carried out twenty-nine bombing raids and forty-seven photographic reconnaissances, displaying at all times marked courage and clear judgment. On 9th October, when on reconnaissance, he was attacked by ten Fokkers and forced to retire; on the disappearance of the Fokkers he again crossed the line; he was then attacked by three Fokkers, but these he drove off, shooting down one, which was seen to crash.[4]
Barbour resigned his army commission on 1 August 1919 in order to accept a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force.[1] He was promoted from flying officer to flight lieutenant in December 1925,[5] and was awarded the Air Force Cross in June 1928.[6] He received further promotions; to squadron leader on 1 October 1934,[7] to wing commander on 31 December 1937,[8] and to temporary group captain on 1 September 1940.[9]
References