Robert Barton

Robert Alexander Barton, (7 June 1916 – 2 September 2010) was a Canadian-born officer who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with at least 12 aerial victories. Born in Kamloops in British Columbia, Barton joined the RAF in early 1936. After his training was completed, he was posted to No. 41 Squadron but following the outbreak of the Second World War was transferred to No. 249 Squadron. Flying the Hawker Hurricane fighter, he flew extensively during the Battle of Britain, claiming several aerial victories. Near the end of the battle, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He later flew Hurricanes during the Siege of Malta, achieving more aerial victories. He served in a series of staff and command posts for the remainder of the war. He remained in the RAF in the postwar period, and played a role in the establishment of the Pakistani Air Force. He ended his military career in 1959 and died in September 2010, aged 94. Early life Robert Alexander Barton was born in Kamloops, in British Columbia, Canada, on 7 June 1916. While his father, an engineer, was Canadian, his mother was Scottish. The family lived in Penticton, although Barton was educated at Vernon. In 1935 he applied to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) and was accepted on a short service commission. He proceeded to England to commence his flight training in January 1936. Nicknamed 'Butch', he was commissioned as an acting pilot officer in March and after his initial training was completed, went on to No. 9 Flying Training School at Thornaby. In October, he was posted to No. 41 Squadron and early the following year was confirmed in his rank as pilot officer. At the time, the squadron was based at Catterick and operated the Hawker Fury biplane fighter but in January 1939, it began to convert to the Supermarine Spitfire fighter. Second World War By the time of the outbreak of the Second World War, Barton was a flying officer. In May 1940, he was transferred to the newly formed No. 249 Squadron. Based at Leconfield, it trained on Hawker Hurricane fighters and became operational in July, moving to Boscombe Down the following month and immediately becoming engaged in the aerial fighting over the southeast of England.