John Barraclough (RAF officer)

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Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Air Chief Marshal Sir John Barraclough Template:Post-nominals (2 May 1918 – 10 May 2008) was a Royal Air Force pilot during the Second World War who went on to become Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.

Early life

Barraclough was born on 2 May 1918. He was educated at Cranbrook School, in Cranbrook, Kent.

Military career

Barraclough joined the Artists Rifles in 1935.[1] He was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1938.[1]

Barraclough served in the Second World War flying maritime patrol aircraft.[1] On 29 October 1940, it was gazetted that he was promoted to flying officer on 3 September 1940.[2] However, on 14 January 1941, this was substituted for the granting of the war substantive rank of flying officer back dated to 12 August 1940.[3] He was promoted to war substantive flight lieutenant on 12 August 1941.[4] By February 1943, he was an acting squadron leader and flying with No. 209 Squadron RAF which was stationed in East Africa.[5] On 14 March 1943, he was promoted to flight lieutenant.[6] By the end of 1945, he was an acting wing commander.[7]

He became Commanding Officer of RAF Biggin Hill in 1955 and of RAF Middleton St. George in 1957.[1] In 1958 he took charge of Operations and Training at Headquarters Far East Air Force.[1]

He became Director of Public Relations for the RAF in 1961 and Air Officer Commanding No. 19 Group RAF in 1964.[1] He then became Air Officer Administration for Bomber Command in 1967 and for Strike Command in 1968.[1] In 1970 he became Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff and in 1972 he was made Air Secretary.[1] His last appointment was as Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1974.[1]

He was appointed Honorary Inspector-General of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 1 January 1984.[8]

Family

In 1946 he married Maureen McCormack and they went on to have one daughter.[9]

Honours and decorations

Barraclough was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 16 February 1943 "for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations".[5] It was gazetted in the 1946 New Year Honours, that he had been Mentioned in Despatches.[7]

He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1969 New Year Honours.[10]

References

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  1. a b c d e f g h i Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Chief Marshal Sir John Barraclough
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  9. Sir John Barraclough Daily Telegraph, 11 May 2008
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External links

Military offices
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
1970–1972 Template:S-ttl/check
Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Air Secretary
1972–1973 Template:S-ttl/check
Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies
1974–1975 Template:S-ttl/check
Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Court offices
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State
1980–1988 Template:S-ttl/check
Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:Vice Chiefs of Defence Staff