John Lindsay Barker

He was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and the following years.  He was the second Commander of the Royal Ceylon Air Force during the early 1960s. 

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Upon his death in 2004, John Lindsay Barker's obituary mentioned 625 Squadron, as follows:

"Barker was given command of No 625 Squadron, flying Lancaster heavy bombers from RAF Kelstern in Lincolnshire; this was a remarkable position for a man who had previously flown only single-engine aircraft.  Barker arrived on the squadron in November 1944 after completing a one-hour flight to familiarise himself with the Lancaster; but he immediately endeared himself to his men by insisting on flying on the next operation over Germany with a junior crew.

As Squadron Commander, he was expected to fly on operations occasionally; but that was not Barker’s way, and he attacked many heavily defended targets.  A fellow pilot recalled that “he was incredibly brave, and always put himself on the most dangerous sorties”.

By the end of April 1945, a large pocket in western Holland was still occupied by the Germans, and the Dutch population was close to starvation.  A truce was arranged, and the squadrons of Bomber Command mounted "Operation Manna" to drop food supplies.  Barker, with his air officer commanding as co-pilot, led his squadron on the first drop on April 29, 1945.  Shortly afterwards, he was awarded the DFC for “his keenness to operate and setting an inspiring example to all under his command."

To be completed