| Accession Number | P11701.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England |
| Date made | c 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Informal outdoor portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Desmond Charles Barrington of Melbourne ...
Description
Informal outdoor portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Desmond Charles Barrington of Melbourne taken soon after his discharge from the Australian Service Corps, AIF (in November 1916) and his enlistment with the Royal Flying Corps. 2nd Lt Barrington had initially served at Gallipoli and in France. After finishing his training in March 1917, Barrington flew with 27 Squadron, RFC in France for three months before being transferred back to England as an instructor at North Carleton and Cranwell. He was later transferred to the Air Ministry as a ferry and test pilot, where records show he flew and tested such aircraft as the Bristol Fighter, Sopwith Pup, RE 8, Spad, Blackburn Kangaroo, Armstrong and Martin Snipe.
After the Armistice he was transferred to 217 Squadron (Handley Page bombers), serving with the British Occupation forces at Hangler until the squadron's disbandment in October 1919. In total, he had flown some 600 hours. From 1921, Barrington became the Australian representative for the British Xylonite Company and later company director for Australasia.
The lack of badges on Barrington's uniform in this photograph possibly indicates it was taken during or soon after his period of training in the first three months of 1917.