Cyril Joe Barton was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 22 years old, and a Pilot Officer in the 578 Squadron , Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 30 March 1944 in an attack on Nuremburg, Germany and while 70 miles from the target, Pilot Officer Barton's Halifax bomber was badly damaged by enemy aircraft. A misinterpreted signal resulted in three of the crew baling out and Pilot Officer Barton was left with no navigator, air bomber or wireless operator. He pressed on with the attack, however, releasing the bombs himself. On the return journey, as he crossed the English coast, the fuel ran short and with only one engine working he crashed trying to avoid the houses of a village, and was killed.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum (Hendon, England).

Reference

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Cyril Joe Barton VC (William Lowther, 1994)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.