Sergeant Joseph Chestnut Barkley, D.F.M., R.A.F., 150 Squadron

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Sergeant Joseph Chestnut Barkley (Rear Gunner) was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Sergeant Barkley has participated in many successful operational sorties against targets such as Duisburg, Frankfurt and Hamburg, in addition to attacks on objectives in Tunisia. He has always co-operated efficiently with his captain and crew while in the air, often in trying circumstances. On one occasion over Duisburg his aircraft was intercepted by a night fighter. Hits from Sergeant Barkley’s guns were observed, which probably destroyed the fighter. At other times he has been of great assistance in giving accurate reports of night fighters and anti-aircraft fire in the vicinity, so enabling his captain to take successful evasive action. Sergeant Barkley has set a most commendable example.

Sergeant Barkley was born in 1913 at Clare, Tipperary. His home is at Shirley, Warwickshire. He was a lorry driver in civil life. He enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and transferred to the R.A.F. in 1941.

London Gazette:
4 June 1943
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36044/supplements/2619

In notifn. of 4th May 1943 (p. 1990, col. i)
for Joseph BARKLEY read Joseph Chestnutt BARKLEY (142514).

Listed:
The Times, Monday, Mar 29, 1943

R.A.F. AWARDS
DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL
Sgt. J.C. Barkley, 150 Sq.

See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

[Drew5233]

LG 30.3.1943.

Sorties 32, Flying hours 168.30

Air Gunner

Air 2/8942.

Sergeant Barkley joined the squadron in July 1942, since when he has completed 32 operational sorties. Sergeant Barkley has successfully flown as rear gunner to targets over Germany including Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Frankfurt and targets in Tunisia and has always displayed a high sense of co-operation with his captain and crew in the air under trying coinditions. Sergeant Barkley's coolness and courage in the face of the enemy had been amply displayed. One night, he was rear gunner in an aircraft detailed to attack Duisberg when he was intercepted by an enemy night fighter (Ju.88). Shots were exchanged and hits were observed on the enemy, it being claimed for Sergeant Barkley as probably destroyed. On another night, when over Dusseldorf, Sergeant Barkley exchanged shots with an He.113, eventually driving it off, while on other occassions, he has materially assisted his captain by giving accurate reports of enemy night fighters and flak in his aircraft's vicinity, enabling his captain to take successful evasive action. I consider the fine example and high standard set by this NCO to merit the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

29th January 1943.

The Distinguished Flying Medal Register of the Second World War Vol. I - Ian Tavender.