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Bomber Command Operations Without Bombs: Mapping Canada's North and the Alberta Years

by William A.R. (Bill) Barry

137 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); contains colour and B&W images; catalogue #06-0134; ISBN 1-4120-8379-6; US$31.11, C$35.78, EUR25.56, £17.89

Early life in rural Manitoba. The war years, assignment to an electronic counter measures squadron. Ditching in the Channel. Love for the Vickers Wellington. Photo survey squadron, and beyond.

About the Book

Birth, parentage and family are detailed. The early years living in rural Manitoba and loss of the family farm are described. Hard times experienced on the farm and life in general due to the Great Depression. Earliest employments and their wages are remarked on. Joining the Air Force during the war years and the voyage to Britain aboard the Dominion Monarch. The author's assignment to 1474 flight at Gransden Lodge, and the "Secret War", are detailed. Numerous flights to various points in northern Europe, as a part of duties described.

The flight to Frankfurt on the night of December 2/3, 1942 in which an attack by a JU88 night fighter is detailed. The consequent ditching of the aircraft in the English Channel off the coast at Deal. The Distinguished Flying Cross is presented at Buckingham Palace. Other duties including a trip to North africa are outlined. While on duty on May 1, 1944 the author was run over by a large truck, and following recovery was returned home to Manitoba.

Marriage, and various post war assignments followed. The author was then assigned to 408 squadron at Rockcliffe. The setting up of Shoran detachments and the various aircraft used in this exercise for photo surveying Northern Canada is described. Attendance at Staff College in Toronto is outlined. Postings to Air Force Headquaters, St. Hubert Quebec, and the final posting to Cold Lake Alberta. The book describes the people met and the circumstances of each posting.

After the military, the transition to civilian life in Edmonton is highlighted by his employment at Alberta Public Works, Alberta Management Advisory Services, Rent Controls, and The Alberta 75th Anniversary Commission. The final chapters of the book describe an around the world voyage and move to Delta, BC.

About the Author

William Alexander Renton Barry was born May 15, 1916 on a farm near Russell, Manitoba. He came from a large immigrant family. Before the war he worked as a typesetter for various newspapers in small town Manitoba. He joined the RCAF on March 20, 1941. During the war he was assigned to a unit engaged in radar intelligence. On the night of December 2/3, 1942 his aircraft was attacked and badly damaged. Four of the six crew were wounded. They ditched in the English Channel. For his action that night he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by HM King George VI.

He married Eva Mae Morden on October 21, 1944. After the war he continued to serve in the RCAF in a variety of positions across Canada. He left the RCAF with the rank of Wing Commander in 1964. He then served the Province of Alberta first with the Department of Public Works, then with Management Services and finally with the Alberta 75th Anniversary Commission. He retired from public service in 1981. He was then appointed to the Board of Governors of Grant McEwan Community College. He started a consulting company "War Barry Enterprises", finally retiring to Tsawwassen, BC in 1988. He died May 7, 2006 after a brief illness following a stroke.

Excerpts