A collection of images relating to the service of 401634 Flying Officer David Thomas Barnard DFM.

Place Mediterranean
Accession Number AWM2018.125.4.101
Collection type Photograph
Object type Print
Maker Unknown
Date made 31 October 1943
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Studio portrait of 401634 Flying Officer David Thomas Barnard DFM. A clerk from Launceston, Tasmania prior to enlistment, Pte Barnard enlisted with the 10th Field regiment as a gunner. He was discharged in 1941 from the Australian Army to join the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). While serving with the RAAF he reached the rank of Flying Officer and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and his citation reads:

Aus.401634 Flight Sergeant David Thomas Barnard, R.A.A.F., No459 (R.A.A.F) Squadron. This airman captained an aircraft which attacked and sunk a U boat in June, 1943. The operation was executed with skill and reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of Flight Sergeant Bernard. Although his aircraft was badly damage by blast, he flew it safely to base.

FO Barnard was discharged on the 28 June 1945 while serving with 1 Operational Training Unit.