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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 840

An original Great War combat report signed by Major Raymond-Barker, M.C., Royal Air Force, late Northumberland Fusiliers and Royal Flying Corps, the last fatal victim of Baron von Richthofen, describing his Squadron's encounter with nine German tri-planes on 6 April 1918, just two weeks before he was killed

Richard Raymond-Barker was born on 6 May 1894, the son of Edward and Rose Raymond-Barker of 'Paulmead', Bisley, Gloucestershire. Educated at Wimbledon College and Mount St. Mary's College, he was an ace of the Great War, claiming six aerial victories with Nos. 6 and 16 Squadrons during the summer of 1917. His M.C. was gazetted on 17 September 1917. Given command of No. 3 Squadron shortly afterwards, he wrote this combat report during the German Spring Offensive. It contains the testimony of Captain D. J. Bell, which reads:

'After dropping my bombs, I saw a B.E.8 fire a red light, and saw about six tri-planes diving on him, so I attacked with Lieut. Riley. Four tri-planes got on to my tail, and fired a burst of about 60 rounds. I did not observe any effect as I was then again being attacked.'

Raymond-Barker added his signature beneath this report using a blue pencil. His promising record as a fighter-ace was cut short on 20 April, when he was shot down by the 'Red Baron', becoming his last fatal victim. His plane fell in a steep spiral, crashing north of Bullecourt. His body was never recovered, though he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing - his Medals were sold in these rooms, Lot 402, July 2019.


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Sold for
£200

Starting price
£240