Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War O.B.E. group of four awarded to Acting Squadron Officer Diana M. Barton, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, who commanded the first barrage balloon to be entirely manned by airwomen

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type, lady’s shoulder badge, silver-gilt, on lady’s bow riband, in Royal Mint case of issue and outer card transmission box; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Sqn. Off. D. M. Barton. W.A.A.F.); together with the related miniature awards, extremely fine (4) £240-£280

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1945.

Miss Diana Mary Barton was born in Reading, Berkshire, on 24 January 1912, and, prior to the outbreak of the Second Word War, joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Transferring to the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force following the outbreak of War, she was commissioned Assistant Section Officer on 3 December 1940, and underwent training as a Balloon Barrage Instructor. She was the first woman to command an all-women Barrage Balloon Unit during the War, based in Grosvenor Square, London- her neighbours at the time included both the American and Japanese Embassies, and recalls how the atmosphere in the Square was pretty tense at the time of Pearl Harbour. She also received various distinguished visitors to her unit, including General Eisenhower. Advanced Squadron Officer, for her pioneering work with the Balloon Unit she was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1945 New Year’s Honours’ List, and was awarded the Air Efficiency Award in September 1947.

Sold with copies of the Statutes of the Order of the British Empire and a copies of the Order of Service for the Services of Dedication, St. Paul’s Cathedral, 1960 and 1963, with accompanying tickets; copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient and an account written by her entitled ‘The Lighter Side of my War Effort 1938-47’; and other ephemera.