Flt Cdr DWA Barton RNAS

[mike j dunn]

Dudley Ware Alexander Barton served as an airship pilot during the Great War. He was the son of the airship pioneer, Dr Francis Barton. During his career, Barton commanded SS36 and C27.

From 1 January 1915 to 19 October 1916, Barton served at Womwood Scrubs, being employed on "Airship Construction and Testing Duties". He went on to serve at Pulham and the Malta Experimental Station.

On 26 October 1916, the Italian government unsuccessfuly requested the British government for Barton's services. On 11 August 1917, Barton was awarded an Italian honour: Officer of the Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus.

Can anyone tell me why he should have been granted this honour, or suggest where I could find out this information,

Many Thanks,

Mike

[Adrian Roberts]

Ces Mowthorpe's book "Battlebags" is a comprenhensive reference on British Airhships including the non-rigids. But Barton Jr is only mentioned once briefly, as one-time commander of C27 (I only know from your post that he was the son of airship pioneer Barton).

The book does mention that ten SS class were sold (second-hand) to Italy. But this seems to have happened in late 1917, and they were erected by the well-known Capt George Meager. So, not much help, and we can only speculate. As Italy was developing its own airships (specialising in semi-rigids - we bought one of theirs in 1918, the SR-1) could they have been trying to poach him for his airship engineering expertise? And could he have later been instrumental in procuring the sale of the SSs to Italy, hence the award?

Adrian

[mike j dunn]

Ces Mowthorpe's book "Battlebags" is a comprenhensive reference on British Airhships including the non-rigids. But Barton Jr is only mentioned once briefly, as one-time commander of C27 (I only know from your post that he was the son of airship pioneer Barton).

The book does mention that ten SS class were sold (second-hand) to Italy. But this seems to have happened in late 1917, and they were erected by the well-known Capt George Meager. So, not much help, and we can only speculate. As Italy was developing its own airships (specialising in semi-rigids - we bought one of theirs in 1918, the SR-1) could they have been trying to poach him for his airship engineering expertise? And could he have later been instrumental in procuring the sale of the SSs to Italy, hence the award?

Adrian

Adrian,

Many thanks for your reply. There a number of refrences to Barton commanding C27 on operational patrols in "My Airship Flights 1915-1930" by Capt. George Meager.

In Barton's ADM 273 entry, there is reference to his obtaining "Form 1548". Can you tell me what this fom was?

Best regards

Mike