Eric Barwell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Barwell, in 1940 | |
| Born | 6 August 1913 Clare, Suffolk, England |
| Died | 12 December 2007 (aged 94) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands | No. 125 Squadron No. 264 Squadron |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mention in Despatches |
Eric Barwell, DFC & Bar (6 August 1913 – 12 December 2007) was a British flying ace who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least nine aircraft, plus one V-1 flying bomb.
Born in Clare, Suffolk, Barwell, a serving member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, was called up for service in the RAF on the outbreak of the Second World War. Posted to No. 264 Squadron, he flew Boulton Paul Defiant fighters during the later stages of the Battle of France when the British Expeditionary Force was evacuated from Dunkirk. Achieving a number of aerial victories, he flew in the following Battle of Britain. By the end of 1940, the squadron was on night fighter operations. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in February 1941, he was posted to a few months later to No. 125 Squadron, which he subsequently commanded. Later in the war he achieved further aerial victories flying the De Havilland Mosquito heavy fighter and was awarded a Bar to his DFC. He briefly commanded No. 264 Squadron after the end of the war in Europe before leaving the RAF. In civilian life, he worked in his family's engineering business. He died in 2007, aged 94.