Air Vice-Marshal John Lindsay Barker
(1910 - 2004)

John Lindsay Barker was born in 1910. He was educated at Trent College and then Brasenose College, Oxford, where he studied Law and joined the University Air Squadron. In 1930, at the age of 20, Barker joined the Reserve of Air Force Officers; in 1933, he became a member of the RAF.

Barker served in France from the outbreak of World War II in 1939 to 1940. From 1942 to 1944, he was stationed in North Africa. For most of 1944, John was a member of the War Cabinet Plans team making preparations for the forthcoming invasion of Normandy, for which his expertise as an Army co-operation pilot was invaluable. He was offered the chance at the end of his tour of duty in London to select his next appointment, and immediately chose to return to operational flying.

Barker’s distinguished military career continued after the war in Europe drew to an end. He joined the staff of Tiger Force, the Bomber Command contingent earmarked for operations against the Japanese, and was immediately promoted group captain to command Shield Force, the advance party of 3,000 men. He was later appointed CBE for his services in the Far East. He was to remain abroad for the next 17 years.

Air Vice-Marshall Barker was a popular commander who earned the nickname ‘Bouncer’ for his unstoppable energy. In his younger days, he played rugby and cricket for the RAF, and played rugby for the Oxford Greyhounds and Leicester Tigers. He eventually retired to Dartmouth, where he used to unnerve his neighbours by driving through the narrow Devonshire lanes at great speeds! He died suddenly on May 7th 2004 at the age of 93.

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