S/Ldr K. M. Barclay was born on 27th September 1920.
Kevin enlisted on 10th December 1940. In 1942, when he moved to Britain, Kevin attended No. 53 OTU, then No. 59 OTU, and then onto No. 11 SFTS in Canada.
After further training at No. 5 ITS, and No. 9 EFTS, Kevin was posted to 42 Squadron in 1942.
On 4th January 1942, Kevin was posted to 79 Squadron, and was promoted on 28th January to Flying Officer.

On 5th November 1942, Kevin was posted to 453 Squadron attaining the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant. He stayed with the squadron for almost two years, receiving promotion to Commanding Officer/Acting Squadron Leader on 11th May 1943, then to Flight Lieutenant on 10th February 1944.

On 31st October 1944, Kevin was posted to 457 Squadron, and, in time for D-Day, was posted to 452 Squadron as Commanding Officer on 4th June.