Robert Alexander "Butch" Barton

Butch Barton

RAF W/C   -  OBE, DFC & Bar

BARTON, F/L Robert Alexander (37664) - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 22 October 1940.

Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, 7 June 1916
Enrolled in RAF, 27 January 1936; posted to
No.41 Squadron, 11 October 1936; served with
No.249 Squadron in Battle of Britain and Malta, 15 May '40 to 8 Dec '41,
Commanding the unit from December 1940 onwards.
Took the squadron to Malta, 21 May 1941, flying from deck of HMS Ark Royal.
Crash-landed and sustained second-degree burns on 1 August 1941 but
Remained on Malta and returned to action.
Returned to Britain in December 1941 to serve at an Operational Training Unit.
Subsequently a staff officer in Fighter Command, commanded Skeabrae (Orkneys)
Early 1945 given command of North Weald;
Posted to India in August 1945.
On return to Britain in 1948 he served in staff appointments including Germany,
Retiring in 1959.

Air Ministry Bulletin 5435 refers.

Specifically listed in AFRO 1292/41 dated 7 November 1941 as a
Canadian in the RAF who had been decorated as of that date;
AFRO 1340/41 dated 14 November 1941 (announcing Bar to DFC)
also stated he was a Canadian in the RAF.

This officer has displayed outstanding leadership. His skill was particularly displayed on September 28, when his squadron destroyed twenty enemy aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Barton has destroyed four enemy machines and shared in the destruction of others.

NOTE: The citation is erroneous in that it should specify September 27, not September 28.

BARTON, S/L Robert Alexander, DFC (37664) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.249 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 31 October 1941
No citation other than "for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations."

Public Records Office Air 2/4782 (Non-Immediate Awards, Middle East, 1941-1943)
has following recommendation communicated by RAFHQ Middle East to
Air Ministry Honours and Awards Committee, 2 October 1941:

Squadron Leader Barton is Officer Commanding No.249 Squadron. During his period of service in the United Kingdom this officer shot down seven and one-half enemy aircraft confirmed and since his arrival in Malta has shot down four and one-half enemy aircraft including one enemy bomber at night. He shows a high standard of courage and initiative and his excellent leadership has been a tonic to his flight commanders and fellow pilots and to the station in general. He leads his squadron on all interceptions and offensive fighter patrols which entails being on "Standby" every other day. In addition to this he performs night fighter duties which on many occasions have entailed being on watch for the entire 24 hours without a break. The results obtained by the fighter effort on the island of Malta can be largely credited to the efforts of this officer in the manner in which he inspires the pilots under his command.

This was edited down for the Honours and Awards Committee at Air Ministry:

This officer destroyed seven hostile aircraft during a period of service in the United Kingdom. Since his arrival in Malta he has led his squadron on all interceptions and fighter patrols during which he has destroyed four hostile aircraft, including one at night. Squadron Leader Barton has, throughout, shown a high standard of courage, leadership and initiative and has contributed materially to the results obtained by the fighter effort on the island.

BARTON, W/C Robert Alexander, DFC (37664) - Officer, Order of the British Empire - awarded as per London Gazette dated 14 June 1945.

Chris Shores in Aces High (2nd ed) lists his victories as follows:

15 August 1940, one Bf.110 destroyed and one Bf.110 damaged, Middle Wallop
24 August 1940, two Bf.109s destroyed, Isle of Wight (one shared with another pilot)
2 September 1940, one Do.17 destroyed, Rochford (shared with another pilot)
11 September 1940, four He.111s damaged southeast of London (squadron claim)
15 September 1940, two Do.17s destroyed, Thames Estuary
  - (one shared with another pilot)
18 September 1940, one He.111 damaged, Thames Estuary
27 September 1940, one Bf.110 destroyed, North Weald
29 October 1940, one Bf.109 destroyed and
- two Bf.109s damaged, North Weald
7 November 1940, one Bf.109 probably destroyed over sea, Clacton
11 November 1940, one Ju.86 destroyed over Channel
4 February 1941, two Bf.110s destroyed, Kentish Knock Lightship
  - (one shared with another pilot)
3 June 1941, one SM.79 destroyed off Gozo
7/8 June 1941, one BD.20 destroyed off Malta at night
17 July 1941, one MC.200 destroyed, Malta
25 July 1941, one MC.200 destroyed, Malta
4 Sept 1941, one MC.200 prob.destroyed and
  - one MC.200 damaged off Cap Passero
19 October 1941, one SM.81 destroyed south of Lampedusa (sh. with another pilot)
22 November 1941, one MC.202 destroyed northeast of Gozo.

Canadian Aces

On these pages I use info from the Air force Association of Canada's web site
in Hugh Halliday's excellent Honors & Awards section,
Newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC)
as well as other sources both published and private