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Auction: 3016 - Orders, Medals, Decorations & Militaria
Lot: 551

General Service Medal to Battle of Britain Beaufighter Observer G.L Barker D.F.M.
General Service Medal 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Palestine (517937. L.A.C. G.L. Barker. R.A.F.)nearly extremely fine

D.F.M. London Gazette 13.9.1940, No. 517937 Sergeant George Leonard Baker No. 59 Squadron.

The Recommendation states: 'On July 6th, he volunteered to fly with a new pilot on his first operational sortie. They were attacked by two M.E. 109'S for a period of 15 minutes. With great coolness, although the rear gunner had been put out of action, he assisted the Air Gunner in telling the pilot what evasive tactics to employ. This observer has done consistently well both in navigation and reconnaissance duties. His flights over Germany include one for which the pilot has since been awarded the D.F.C. By his keeness and efficiency he sets a splendid example to the Squadron.'

Flight Lieutenant George Leonard Barker D.F.M., from Diss, Norfolk, joined the Royal Air Force, September 1934, and served in Palestine as an L.A.C. He later remustered as an Airman Observer. In early 1940, he served as a Sergeant with 59 Squadron, Coastal Command (D.F.M.). Commissioned in late August 1940, he was posted to 600 Squadron in September; 85 Squadron March - June 1941 and from November the same year was attached to 456 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron as an Instructor. Gazetted Flight Lieutenant 1942, Barker qualified as a pilot, and in July 1944 was attached to 51 O.T.U., and in the evening of the 18th of that month his Beaufighter flew into anti-V.1 ballon cables over Kent and crashed at Weike Farm, Kingsdown. Barker, who was 30 years of age, was buried in Diss cemetary.


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