George Barclay (RAF officer)
- George Barclay (RAF officer)
:otherpeople|George Barclay
Squadron Leader Richard George Arthur Barclay DFC RAF was a British pilot who was killed in action on 17 July 1942 during the battle of El Alamein aged 22.
Born in South London, and attending Stowe School and Trinity College, Cambridge, Barclay joined the University Air Squadron in 1938, and was called up on the outbreak of war. Posted to 249 squadron in July 1940, he flew though the Battle of Britain, receiving the DFC in October.
"Flying Officer Richard George Arthur Barclay (74661), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - No. 249 Squadron. This officer has shown admirable coolness and courage in combat against the enemy. His keeness and determination have enabled him to destroy at least four of their aircraft" (DSC Citation [London Gazette Issue 35001, 26 November 1940] )
As a flight commander with 611 Squadron, Barclay was shot down over occupied France in September 1941. He force landed and evaded capture, making his way to Spain with help from the French Resistance. In April 1942 he was posted to North Africa and returned to flying as CO of 238 Squadron, flying Hawker Hurricanes Mk II's.
He was shot down and killed by Lt. Werner Schröer of III./Jagdgeschwader 27on 17 July 1942.
Barclay is buried at the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. [ [http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2092156 Commonwealth War Graves Commisson] ]
His diaries, written during his wartime career up until his death, were published in 1974 and give a rare, descriptive and highly articulate first hand account of the life of a fighter pilot in 1940-41.
Bibliography
*
References
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
George Barclay — may refer to:* George Barclay (clergyman) (c. 1779–1857), Baptist minister in Upper Canada * George Barclay (baseball), former baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Beaneaters * George Barclay (football coach), former head coach… … Wikipedia
List of World War II topics (G) — # G H (navigation) # G Men vs the Black Dragon # G and H class destroyer # G for George # G. B. Pegram # G. Mennen Williams # G. N. Glasoe # G. Warren Nutter # G.I. Robot # G.I. Stories # G.I. Wanna Home # G?siówka # Göppingen Gö 9 # Göran… … Wikipedia
Watford Grammar School for Boys — Motto Sperate parati Established 1704 and 1884 Type parti … Wikipedia
List of King's College London alumni — This List of King s College London alumni includes graduates, non graduate former students, and current students of King s College London. The list also includes those whom are alumni by extension, having studied at institutions that have… … Wikipedia
Malaya Command — Active 1924 to 1942; 1945 to 1957 Country United Kingdom Branch … Wikipedia
Allied leaders of World War II — The Allied Leaders of World War II consists of the important political and military figures that fought or supported the Allies during World War II. Engaged in total war, the leaders had to adapt to new types of modern warfare, on the military,… … Wikipedia
Allied invasion of Sicily — Sicilian Campaign Part of Italian Campaign of World War II The U.S. Liberty ship Robert Rowan explodes after being hit by a German … Wikipedia
Operation Mincemeat — was a successful British deception plan during World War II. As part of the widespread deception plan Operation Barclay to cover the intended invasion of Italy from North Africa, Mincemeat helped to convince the German high command that the… … Wikipedia
No. 453 Squadron RAAF — Brewster Buffalo aircraft at Sembawang Airbase, Singapore, November 1941 Active 23 May 1941 – 15 March 1942 18 June 1942 – 21 January 1946 16 February 2011–current … Wikipedia
List of people from Arkansas — List of people from Arkansas: Individuals on this list are either native born Arkansans or emigrants who have chosen Arkansas as their permanent home. Actors*Adams, Joey Lauren (born 1971), actress *Alexander, Katherine (1898–1981), actress… … Wikipedia
