Pilot Officer John Sandes Barnwell

  General Notes:

BARNWELL John Sandes Pilot Officer 33432 29th Sqdn Royal Air Force died 19/6/1940 age 20. Son of Frank Sowter & Marjorie of Stoke Bishop, Bristol and brother of Richard Anthony & David Usher. Buried at Scopwick Church Burial Ground Lincolnshire Row 2 Grave 31. Awarded The King's Medal, R.A.F., College Cranwell 1939.

Note: At the time of his death 29 Sqdn was operating Bristol Blenheim 1F's, which his father designed.

On the outbreak of World War Two No. 29 Squadron used Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1F's for patrols over shipping and early trials with airborne radar. When German night bombers began operating in strength in June 1940, No 29 became fully involved in night fighting.


On the night of 18-19th June No. 29 Squadron intercepted enemy aircraft for the first time when two bombers were shot down over the East Anglian coast by the Martlesham Heath detachment, one by F/O J Barnwell, the other by P/O JD Humphreys. While continuing his patrol, however, Barnwell then went missing over the North Sea, apparently shot down by another enemy aircraft. Neither Blenheim involved in these attacks carried AI sets.

http://www.bbm.org.uk/Kells.htm


Fighter Command Air Combat Claims, 1939-45

18-19/06/1940:

No. 29 Squadron claims the destruction of three German bombers.
P/O L.G.H. Kells - one He111 (unconfirmed), off Felixstowe, 22.40 hrs.
P/O J.D. Humphreys - one He111, off Norfolk, 23.59 hrs.
P/O John S. Barnwell - one He111, off Felixstowe, 01.25 hrs.


18-19 June 1940

29 Squadron
Blenheim IF L6636

Failed to return to Martlesham Heath. Shot down while attacking an He.111 off the Norfolk coast. P/O. J S. Barnwell (Pilot) and Sgt. K. Long killed. P/O. Barnwells parachute was found in the sea next day

Pilot Officer (Pilot) John S. Barnwell, RAF 33432, 29 Sqdn., age 20, 19/06/1940, Scopwick Church Burial Ground, UK.
Sergeant Kenneth L. Long, RAFVR 755181, 29 Sqdn., age 21, 19/06/1940, missing.