- SURNAME
Barefoot
- FORENAME
Herbert John Leslie
- UNIT
Royal Engineers (Bomb Disposal)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
- AWARD
George Cross
- PLACE
England 1940
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 15.5.1887
wife Amy Gladys (????-26.09.1991)
educated Dulwich College 1900-05
architect
ranks, RAMC, Egytian Expeditionary Force 1916-19
award Mention in Despatches
demobilised 1919
architect
commissioned R.E.
Major 1941
died 23.12.1958 age 71, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
New Ipswich Cemetery, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. Grave 49, NO XJ-2
London Gazette 35050, 21st January 1941, Page 461
CITATION:
George Cross : Captain Barefoot was a pioneer of bomb disposal. He dealt with the first unexploded bombs which fell in this country, and by his disregard of personal safety very valuable information was obtained. He has experimented with all types of bombs. With a Naval officer he worked on the first suspended parachute magnetic mine. For two hours he clung to the mine to secure it in a safe position. At the time of this act the bomb disposal authorities had very little knowledge of the mechanism of these mines and much was learnt at this stage. When necessary he has ignored the safety period, especially when clearing an important railway line. His bravery and devotion to duty has done much to maintain a high standard of courage in his Company.
WEB LINKS:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Barefoothttps://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35050/supplement/461
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8908687/herbert-john_leslie-barefootNATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7378136
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