Richard Raymond-Barker

Major Richard Raymond-Barker was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He became Manfred von Richthofen's penultimate victim.

Early service
Raymond-Barker was commissioned on 30 November 1914. he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 6 August 1915. He completed pilot's training in October, and was forwarded to France on 22 November 1915. On 1 April 1916, he was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant with the RFC. On 17 June 1916, Raymond-Barker was appointed a flight commander; this entailed a promotion to Temporary Captain from Flying Officer. During this time, he was serving with 6 and 16 Squadrons, transferring out on 29 December 1916.

Victories
On 12 May 1917, Raymond-Barker was sent to 48 Squadron as a flight commander. He scored his first victories on the 20th, driving down a pair of Albatros D.IIIs out of control. By 5 June, his count was up to four. On 1 July 1917, he was appointed from Temporary Second Lieutenant to Temporary Lieutenant. He scored his final two triumphs just after that, on the 8th and 17th, bringing his total to two Albatros D.IIIs destroyed and four enemy aircraft driven down out of control.

Command and death
On 17 September 1917, Raymond-Barker was appointed to be a Squadron Commander, with the rank of Temporary Major. He took command of 3 Squadron. On 20 April 1918, it ran into a patrol of Fokker Triplanes of the Flying Circus, and Raymond-Barker was shot down by the Red Baron.

As Richthofen reported it: "With six planes of Jasta 11, I attacked a large enemy squadron. During the fight I observed that a Triplane was attacked and shot at from below by a Camel. I put myself behind the adversary and brought him down, burning, with only a few shots. The enemy plane crashed down near the forest of Hamel where it burned further on the ground."

Raymond-Barker's body was never recovered.

Honours and awards
Military Cross MC

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Richard Raymond-Barker, Gen. List and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when leading a fighting patrol. He attacked a large hostile formation, destroying two of them. He has also done excellent work in leading distant photographic reconnaissances, notably upon two occasions when his skilful leadership enabled photographs to be taken of all the required hostile area in spite of repeated attacks from enemy aircraft. He has helped to destroy seven hostile machines, and has at all times displayed conspicuous skill and gallantry.