Date of birth:

August 8th, 1912 (Cape Province, South Africa)

Service number:

83209/80027

Nationality:

South African (1910-1961, Union)

Maurice Barber was a pilot with the South Rhodesian Air Force, before being attachte to the Royal Air Force and served in North Africa. He achieved a total of three victories.

Promotions:
March 21st, 1940: Flying Officer on probation (seniority October 30th, 1939);
March 21st, 1941: Flying Officer;
October 21st, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (seniority July 1st, 1941);
?: Acting Squadron Leader;
January 1st, 1943: temporary Squadron Leader;
June 6th, 1945: Squadron Leader (war subs.).

Career:
?: Southern Rhodesian Air Force;
March 21st, 1940: Flying Officer Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves;
August 16th, 1946: Southern Rhodesian Air Force.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 450 (RAAF) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 23rd, 1943

Citation:
"During operations in the Western Desert this officer displayed great skill and unflagging devotion to duty. As flight and squadron commander his steady judgment and high morale proved a tower of strength. In 1 flight during the battle of El Alamein, Squadron Leader Barber destroyed 3 Junkers 87's. His example has been worthy of high praise."

LG 35914/929-930.

• Photo 1: Wilco Vermeer
• - The London Gazette of 3rd September 1940, Issue 34937
  - The London Gazette of 16th May 1941, Issue 35165
  - The London Gazette of 19th September 1941, Issue 35279
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 4th August 1942, Issue 35658, dated 7th August 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 5th January 1943, Issue 35855, dated 8th January 1943
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 19th February 1943, Issue 35914, dated 23rd February 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 7th May 1943, Issue 36009, dated 11th May 1943
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th September 1945, Issue 37286, dated 28th September 1945
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 6th September 1946, Issue 37716, dated 10th September 1946