I will be throwing red poppy seeds at random into borders, gardens and wasteland in the next few days so my village will become a sea of red in memorial of people who gave everything so I can live as I do today. This is just one reason why... Seventy years ago today (31/03/44), Flying Officer Cyril Joe Barton was killed in action during the infamous Nuremberg raids. A member of 578 Squadron based at Burn in Yorkshire, his Halifax aircraft was crippled by night fighters en route to target, destroying the rear turret, intercom, one engine and navigation equipment. In the confusion and without the intercom, the wireless operator, bomb aimer and navigator bailed out. Undeterred, Barton flew on, releasing the bombs himself. He then flew home using only the stars, a small chart and the compass to guide him. Crossing the English Coast, the last fuel ran out for the remaining functional engines. He ordered his 3 remaining crew mates into the rear of the aircraft where survivability would be greatest before crash landing into the colliery yard at Ryhope in County Durham. His 3 crew mates survived but Barton succumbed to his injuries shortly after. His last words were of concern for his friends. For his devotion to duty and extreme gallantry, Barton was awarded the Victoria Cross, the only one awarded to the Halifax force during the war. He is buried in the south west corner of Kingston Upon Thames cemetery in south west London.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:03:12 +0000
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