Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Newcastle Sun - 30 November 1938 - Page 9

WORKED PASSAGE TO JOIN RAF

('Newcastle Sun' Cable)

LONDON, Tuesday.

Clement John Barrey, of Adelaide who could not find a vacancy ln the RAAF, worked his passage to England in the Lawhill and after a 130 days' voyage landed at Falmouth penniless.
He started to walk the 300 miles to London, but a motorist gave him a lift from Cornwall.
He has now secured an observer's commission in the Royal Air Force.
(NB He was in fact an NCO).

Kalgoorlie Miner - 3 December 1938 - Page 5

Worked Passage to Join RAF.
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LAD'S DETERMINATION

London 29 November

Clement John Barrey (19), of Adelaide, who, owing to the fact that there was no vacancy in the Royal Australian Air Force, worked his passage to England in the sailing ship Lawhill, has been appointed a cadet observer in the Royal Air Force at Prestwich. He is the younger son of Mr and Mrs J Barrey of George street, West Croydon.

Adelaide 1 December

For more ' than a year Mr Barrey had planned and saved as a drapery assistant in Adelaide, without accepting any help from his parents. All his spare time on the 130-day voyage, during which he went aloft and carired out the ordinary seaman's duties, was spent in the intense
study of navigation. In this he was aided by the only other Australian
among the Scandinavian crew, Mr Robson, formerly an officer, in the Moonta.

After Mr Barrey landed in August at Falmouth, with small financial resources, he was given a lift to London by motorists. In London he immediately called on the South Australian Agent-General (Sir Charles McCann) and was given a letter of introduction to the RAF authorities. Then, during the couple of months' of waiting, He continued his studies on navigation in free libraries.

Both John and his elder brother Ray, who is 23, have long been interested in aviation, and have built some fine model aeroplanes,' said Mr. Barrey last night. 'Ray, too, has been trying for some time to enter the Royal Australian Air Force, and almost decided to accompany John in the Lawhill. John's first instructional flight was as a candidate for the 'Advertiser' flying
scholarship some time ago. While a shop assistant at People Stores,Adelaide, John saved money for the trip, including the premium required to join the Lawhill's crew.'

Adelaide News - 30 November 1938 - Page 1

SA Youth in RAF After Sailing Trip

London 29 November -

Clement John Barrey, 19, of Adelaide, who, because there was no vacancy in the Royal Australian Air Force,worked his passage to England in the barque Lawhill, after a voyage of 130 days, landed at Falmouth penniless.

He started to walk the 300 miles to London, when a friendly motorist gave him a lift from Cornwall. He has now secured an observer's commission in the Royal Air Force.

With his heart set on an air force career, John Barrey was not deterred when no place could be found for him in Australia.
After a talk with Jack Welier, a cousin, who had just returned from England, he went to Port Vincent, and shipped as a deck hand aboard the
sailing ship Lawhill.

Very soon after he landed in London the Royal Air Force appointed him an
observer.

"John used to spend a lot of his time at Parafield Aerodrome before he left," another cousin, Mr. Syd Barry, said today.

"After he left Croydon Central School he worked in a draper's store,but got very tired of it.
"Then he fixed on the Air Force as his mark, and he intends to go right through with it.
We don't expect him back here until he has established himself in commissioned rank."

Jack Barrey is the son of Mr. J. Barrey, a carpenter and builder, of Croydon.

The Adelaide Chronicle - 13 June 1940 - Page 23

Family Notices -

Crothers-Barrey

The Engagement is Announced of Norma, eldest Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. O Crothers of Royston Park to Sergeant CJ Barrey RAF of Heliopolis Egypt, Youngest Son of Mr. and Mrs. J Barrey of Croydon Park.

(NB Marriage did Not take place, Intrestingley this article has written over the top of it No Bloody Way, no one in the Family was even aware of this until I mentioned it, unfortunately I did not find out about this until after John was no longer with us, when some of his Papers were Passed onto me by a Relation in South Australia).

The Recorder - Port Pirie - 24 September 1941 - Page 4
Gallant Young SA Airman

Clement Barrey (18), of George street, West Croydon, left Port Victoria in a sailing ship, determined to work his passage to England and join the Royal Air Force. Today news was received in Adelaide that Sgt. Barrey, of the R.A.F., had been awarded the Distinguished Flying
Medal.
This distinction has been conferred,upon him for efficient and courageous work during 50 operational missions. He is an observer with the Near East Command.

In 1938, John Barrey broke away from the drapery counter of an Adelaide store.
In March, 1938, his great adventure began, as the Lawhill hoisted sail at Port Victoria.

Adelaide News - 23 September 1941 - Page 3

DFM to SA Youth;Left in Barque

Clement John Barrey,18, of George street, West Croydon, left Port Victoria in a sailing ship, determined to work his passage to England and join the Royal Air Force.

Today news was received in Adelaide that Sgt. Barrey, of the R.A.F., had been awarded the
Distinguished Flying Medal.

This distinction has been conferred upon him for efficient and courageous work during 50 operational missions. He is an observer with the Near East Command.

In 1938, John Barrey broke away from the drapery counter of an Adelaide store.

In March, 1938, his great adventure began, as the Lawhill hoisted sail at Port Victoria.
There was only one other Australian on the ship, his other mates being Finn and Swedes.

Studied Navigation

After a 15,000-mile journey of 18 weeks by way of Cape Horn, he arrived in London.

He lost no time in applying to the Royal Air Force, but during the period of waiting for his call to begin training, he studied navigation in free libraries.

His only experience in aviation at that time was an instructional flight as a candidate for a flying
scholarship.

His training completed he was soon in the thick of the battle.

He was evacuated from Greece where according to letters received by his mother, he "lost everything.'

Then he saw service in Crete and later was transferred to the desert.

Sgt. Barrey's only older brother Flying Officer Ray Barrey, who is 25 was recently Married and is now serving on HMAS Sydney.

They are the sons of Mr and Mrs J Barrey.

Adelaide News - 24 September 1941 - Page 8

SA Winner of Air Medal Escaped Death Twice

SGT Clement John Barrey, R.A.F., of West Croydon,who has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, believes that only fate saved him from death in the Western Desert recently.

THIS is how he told the story to his mother Mrs J Barrey, in a letter written on 3 September

- "Back in the desert after a month's rest leave in Cairo; feeling top line and ready for bags
more flying".
"The day I returned the CO took off on a dusk raid with two other aircraft and only one Returned. Even that looked like a nutmeg grater. The CO's is one of the 'kites' that did not return".

"Only thinking this morning how lucky I have been, for if I had returned one day earlier, as I had previously planned, I would have been on that raid with him".

"I am beginning to think of that old saying that 'the devil takes care of his own,' for this is the
second time that fate has snatched me from the jaws of death".

Tribute by Pilot

In a later letter Sgt. Barrey told his parents that he had carried out 73 raids and completed 580
hours of flying, of which about 290 had been operational or active service flying.
He added that everyone was telling him that it was about time he received a "gong."

The "gong" was his DFM which was announced yesterday.

A striking tribute to Sgt. Barrey's work has been paid by a pilot with whom he worked as observer, and who since has been promoted to squadron leader with a DFC.

Writing from Asmniara, he said,"In reference to the DFC I got,I feel that it was largely due to
your efforts that It was awarded to me, and that at least half the stripes on the ribbon belong to
you. However, in the fullness of time I hope you will be able to sport a DFM. or DFC. your
self".

"I shall always feel proud and very grateful that I had the services of one of the best observers
at the time when I needed one most. I miss those 'wizzo' expressions and chuckles following that 'bomb gone.' "

Adelaide News - 1 December 1941 - Page 8

Personal Details about Members of Crew of HMAS Sydney from SA

School Mates

Flying Officer Raymond Barker Barrey RAAF went to Croydon School with Leading Seaman GF
Standish (also on the Sydney). He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barrey of George street, West Croydon and married Miss Gladys Young, daughter of Mr. S. Young of Welland.

Flying Officer Barrey, who was 25 was called up for training with the RAAF and was later transferred to New South Wales for seaplane instruction.

His brother Sgt CJ Barrey, of the RAF was recently awarded the DFM.

Adelaide News - 22 September 1950 - Page 9

SA Ace in Big Jet Plane Flight

South Australian flying ace, Flight Lieutenant John Barrey, DFC, AFC, DFM,flew one of the 65 jet aircraft on the first mass flight of jets from America to England recently.

He has told of his experiences in letters just received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barrey, of Margaret avenue,West Croydon.

Flt. Lieut. Barrey is the only SA member of the United States No. 55 (P) Squadron based at Manston, in Kent,England.

Now 30, he went to England 12 years ago and has been back home only once - in 1946 - for a
brief visit to his parents.

With US forces

Flt. Lieut. Barrey was chosen to train with the US Air Force along with four other RAF pilots and arrived in the US in November, 1948, for a two-year course.

He was in New York on a gunsight course when he was told of the jet trip to England.

He and another pilot motored 740 miles in 17 hours to be there for the take-off.

Describing his jet trip, Flt.Lieut. Barrey said the first leg of 960 miles from Shaw field to Dowe field, in the north east of the USA, took just over two hours.

From there to Goose Bay,Labrador (750 miles) took 1 hour.

Of the 760 miles from Goose Bay to Greenland, which took about 11 hours, 500 miles
was over water.

Special Suit

"From Goose Bay to Scotland we had to wear a special rubber exposure suit, which completely covered us from head to foot with just the hands sticking out," wrote Fit. Lieut Barrey.

"Although it was rather awkward and hot it was necessary as the water temperature was 36 deg. F. with icebergs floating round.

From 35,000 ft. They looked like ice cubes."

The trip was not without disaster.

One pilot "lost" his Engine at 35,000 ft. right in the middle of the ocean between Greenland and Iceland. Although he tried to re-start it at 20,000 ft. he had no chance and bailed out near a weather ship cruising along the route.

The pilot was dead when picked up.

Flt. Lieut. Barrey continued:

"As he was not wearing an exposure suit he probably froze on contact with the water and
couldn't get out of his parachute and inflate his dinghy."


Flt. Lieut. Barrey stayed long enough in Keflavik, in Iceland, to see that the base which cost $3,000,000 (£A1,339,285) was really a first class airfield. It was entirely an American concern and would be "a very useful base if the Russians started any funny business," he said.

"Last leg longest"

The last leg of 760 miles seemed to be the longest of the journey and the mainland was a welcome sight, he said.

When they jumped out of the aircraft "everyone bent down and
patted the ground."

"Since our arrival I've been flying and taking the boys all over the place," he wrote.

"They just can't get over how small the British Isles are".

"We actually fly round the four corners of England without landing. That is something
we couldn't do round South Carolina."

Mr. and Mrs. Barrey are hoping to go to England early
next year to see their son if he has finished his course in America.
Flt.Lieut Barrey's Older Brother was Posted as Missing in 1941.

(Originals in My Possession).