Volume 48, No. 18, October 05, 2006
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MEMORABLE: CO 3SQN WGCDR Joe Iervasi with Nicky Barr’s sons Bob and Brian.
Photo by CPL Anthony Palmowski |
THE memory of one of 3SQN’s true heroes, commanders and characters will never diminish.
At its 90th anniversary parade on September 14, the squadron unveiled a memorial stone in honour of former WGCDR Andrew “Nicky” Barr, who was squadron CO from May 28, 1942, until he was shot down at the end of June.
He was the squadron’s highest-scoring pilot and an Australian ace. He was shot down three times, escaped the enemy four times and had 12-and-a-half kills, two probables, eight damaged and over 84 missions on his slate. After his fourth escape, he led a group of POWs to safety in February 1944 and was awarded a Military Cross for his exploits; he also added a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross.
Andrew Barr was a star international rugby player who joined the RAAF in March 1940. In October 1941, he was posted to 3SQN flying Tomahawks and then Kittyhawks in North Africa.
In October 1945, he retired from the Air Force and became a leading Australian business identity. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire.
The 90-year-old veteran died on June 12, 2006, and was buried four days later. Air Force provided a final Hornet fly-past salute.
With approval and concurrence from Barr’s family, a small committee designed the memorial, which includes a plaque on a memorial stone, surrounded by a small garden.
At the completion of the squadron’s formal events, a small crowd comprising squadron members, 3SQN Association members, invited VIPS and members of the Barr family gathered at the memorial.
Chaplain SQNLDR Peter Simmonds conducted the service and 3SQN CO WGCDR Joe Iervasi unveiled the
memorial.
