Maurice Hilton-Barber

Lt. Col. Maurice Clinton Hilton-Barber, DFC, OBE (8 August 1912 – 11 August 1975) was a South African wing commander in the South African Air Force during World War II.

Biography

Hilton-Barber was born in Craddock,^[1] the son of Harry Atherstone Hilton-Barber and Celia Andrews. Barber served during World War II in the Squadron 250 of the RAF on the Western front in 1942. He went on to command Squadron 450 / RAAF November 1942 until March 1943. Although it was considered to have achieved 5 wins, it seems that this total is only 3. He received a DFC in February 1943 and was transferred to the SAAF with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, he became the Federal Director of Civil Aviation in Southern Rhodesia.^[2]

His two brothers, Roger and Harry, were also fighter pilots. He had two sons, Miles and Geoff, who went blind from a genetic condition but became adventurers.^[3]

Awards

• Distinguished Flying Cross on 23 February 1943 as Acting Squadron Leader of the No. 450 (RAAF) Squadron, Royal Air Force^[4]
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), 1962 Birthday Honours^[5]

Distinguished Flying Cross citation

Barber's official DFC citation says:

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.^[4]