Barrie Heath
Encyclopedia
Sir Barrie Heath, DFC
, AE
(11 September 1916 - 22 February 1988) was a World War II
Royal Air Force
Spitfire pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain
, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
. After the war he had a successful career in industry, rising to become chairman of the industrial conglomerate GKN
. In 1978 he received a knighthood for services to export.
, Warwickshire
on 11 September 1916. His older brother Grahame was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
and was killed in action in World War I
.
, flying in Spitfire IIa P7883 "Grahame Heath", which had been donated by his parents in memory of his brother.
Such donations were not uncommon at the time; many patriotic individuals as well as towns and other organisations were encouraged to donate the cost of an airframe. The cost of a Spitfire was set by the government at £5,000, a very large sum at the time, although the real cost of manufacturing the aircraft was more than £10,000. By way of honouring the donation, the aircraft was permitted to bear the name of the donor himself, or any other name they chose. Approximately 1500 "presentation" Spitfires were donated during the course of the war, representing about 17% of total production.
Criticised by squadron CO S/L James Ellis McComb for damaging his Spitfire on landing, Heath is said to have replied: "this is my Spit and I'll fly it any bloody way I like".
According to the official No. 611 Squadron RAF website, between June 1940 and February 1941 Heath shot down 4 enemy aircraft (including two "probables") and damaged two others. He was made 'B' Flight Commander in November 1940.
Early in 1941 he was posted to No. 64 Squadron, becoming CO in March 1941. He was rested in September 1941, transferring to Fighter Command HQ, and in late 1942 was Wing Commander, Tactics. In 1944 he became Wing Leader, 244 Wing in Italy, later commanding 324 Wing.
In 1944, as the tide of war turned in favour of the Allies, Heath (by now Wing Commander Heath)
served with No. 43 Squadron RAF
in France
, known by its squadron insignia as the "fighting cocks", or "les coqs Anglais" as the local French population dubbed it. By now the squadron's main role was ground attack, strafing and occasionally dive bombing enemy targets.
On 9 September 1944 Heath, now No. 324 Wing Commander and flying Spitfire IX MJ628, led a formation on the squadron's first sortie into German territory, strafing motor transport and railway communications.
, and in 1978 he received a knighthood. Among the problems Heath had to contend with as Chairman were hyperinflation, the oil crisis, and declining demand for steel and automotive parts.
In an article in Time magazine in May 1979 he was described as "one of Britain's most respected business leaders", and as having "advised the new Conservative government 'not to rush in and try to bring in laws to restrict the unions. Such a course of action would be the death knell for British industry'."
Tony Jeeves, a former colleague at GKN, described him as "a great boss, incredibly kind and generous but certainly did not suffer fools gladly...people either loved or hated him". He retired from GKN in 1980.
Barrie Heath's son Duncan Heath
is a leading talent agent in London
, England
. He is the co-chairman of the Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, AE
Air Efficiency Award
The Air Efficiency award, abbreviated to AE when placed after a holder's name, was a United Kingdom honour given for ten years' efficient service in the Reserve Air Forces of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and Empire. Unlike other long service and meritorious conduct awards, both officers and...
(11 September 1916 - 22 February 1988) was a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Spitfire pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
. After the war he had a successful career in industry, rising to become chairman of the industrial conglomerate GKN
GKN
GKN plc is a multinational automotive and aerospace components company headquartered in Redditch, United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds and can trace its origins back to 1759 and the birth of the Industrial Revolution.GKN is listed on the London Stock...
. In 1978 he received a knighthood for services to export.
Early life
Heath was born in Kings NortonKings Norton
Kings Norton is an area of Birmingham, England. It is also a Birmingham City Council ward within the formal district of Northfield.-History:...
, Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
on 11 September 1916. His older brother Grahame was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
and was killed in action in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Battle of Britain
Heath saw active service in 1940 with No. 611 Squadron RAFNo. 611 Squadron RAF
No. 611 Squadron was a British Auxiliary Air Force later Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron first formed in 1936 and lastly disbanded in 1957.-Early years:...
, flying in Spitfire IIa P7883 "Grahame Heath", which had been donated by his parents in memory of his brother.
Such donations were not uncommon at the time; many patriotic individuals as well as towns and other organisations were encouraged to donate the cost of an airframe. The cost of a Spitfire was set by the government at £5,000, a very large sum at the time, although the real cost of manufacturing the aircraft was more than £10,000. By way of honouring the donation, the aircraft was permitted to bear the name of the donor himself, or any other name they chose. Approximately 1500 "presentation" Spitfires were donated during the course of the war, representing about 17% of total production.
Criticised by squadron CO S/L James Ellis McComb for damaging his Spitfire on landing, Heath is said to have replied: "this is my Spit and I'll fly it any bloody way I like".
According to the official No. 611 Squadron RAF website, between June 1940 and February 1941 Heath shot down 4 enemy aircraft (including two "probables") and damaged two others. He was made 'B' Flight Commander in November 1940.
Early in 1941 he was posted to No. 64 Squadron, becoming CO in March 1941. He was rested in September 1941, transferring to Fighter Command HQ, and in late 1942 was Wing Commander, Tactics. In 1944 he became Wing Leader, 244 Wing in Italy, later commanding 324 Wing.
| Dates | Aircraft | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2 June 1940 | Junkers Ju87 | Destroyed |
| 21 August 1940 | Dornier Do17 | Probable |
| 11 October 1940 | Dornier Do17 | Probable |
| 21 December 1940 | Dornier Do17 | Damaged |
| 29 December 1940 | Dornier Do17 | Damaged |
| 5 February 1941 | Messerschmitt Bf 109 Messerschmitt Bf 109 The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s... |
Destroyed |
In 1944, as the tide of war turned in favour of the Allies, Heath (by now Wing Commander Heath)
served with No. 43 Squadron RAF
No. 43 Squadron RAF
No. 43 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron originally formed in 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It last operated the Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars, Scotland in the air defence role until disbanded in July 2009.-In World War I:...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, known by its squadron insignia as the "fighting cocks", or "les coqs Anglais" as the local French population dubbed it. By now the squadron's main role was ground attack, strafing and occasionally dive bombing enemy targets.
On 9 September 1944 Heath, now No. 324 Wing Commander and flying Spitfire IX MJ628, led a formation on the squadron's first sortie into German territory, strafing motor transport and railway communications.
Post war career
After the war, Heath pursued a successful career in manufacturing industry. In 1946 he left the RAF and was appointed to the board of Hobourn aero components, Coventry. In 1960 he joined Triplex Safety Glass Ltd as their managing director and, in 1967, joined the board of the parent company Pilkington Brothers. In 1975 he took over from Sir Raymond Brookes to became Chairman of the Industrial conglomerate GKNGKN
GKN plc is a multinational automotive and aerospace components company headquartered in Redditch, United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds and can trace its origins back to 1759 and the birth of the Industrial Revolution.GKN is listed on the London Stock...
, and in 1978 he received a knighthood. Among the problems Heath had to contend with as Chairman were hyperinflation, the oil crisis, and declining demand for steel and automotive parts.
In an article in Time magazine in May 1979 he was described as "one of Britain's most respected business leaders", and as having "advised the new Conservative government 'not to rush in and try to bring in laws to restrict the unions. Such a course of action would be the death knell for British industry'."
Tony Jeeves, a former colleague at GKN, described him as "a great boss, incredibly kind and generous but certainly did not suffer fools gladly...people either loved or hated him". He retired from GKN in 1980.
Barrie Heath's son Duncan Heath
Duncan Heath
Duncan Heath is a leading British talent agent and the co-chairman of the Independent Talent Group, Europe's largest talent agency, based in Soho, London...
is a leading talent agent in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He is the co-chairman of the Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Independent Talent Group Ltd.
Independent Talent Group Ltd. is the new name of the London based talent, literary, and model agency formerly known as ICM London.- History :...
Honours and awards
- 29 April 1941 - Acting Squadron Leader Barrie Heath (90818), Auxiliary Air Force, No. 611 Squadron is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.
- 3 June 1978 - Barrie Heath, DFC, AE, group chairman of Guest Keen and Nettlefolds Limited is awarded the Honour of Knighthood for services to export which was presented on the 12 July 1978.
External links
- History of no43 Squadron, the "Fighting Cocks". Retrieved: February 16, 2010.
- Spitfire society webpage. Retrieved: February 16, 2010.
- article at www.fightglobal.com. Retrieved: February 16, 2010.
- Official 611 Squadron website. Retrieved: February 16, 2010.
- Stories of Barrie Heath at Official 611 Squadron website. Retrieved: February 16, 2010.