Eric Gordon Barwell was born in Clare, Suffolk. He was educated at Wellingborough School, later working in the family business near Cambridge.

In July, 1938, Eric joined the RAFVR, doing his part-time elementary flying training at 22 E&RFTS, Cambridge. Called up at the outbreak of war, Eric was posted to 2 FTS, Brize Norton on 8th October, 1939. Eric was commissioned in December and went to the 12 Group Fighter Pool on New Year's Day 1940.

On 5th February, Eric joined 264 Squadron at Martlesham Heath. He took part in the successful actions of the squadron over Dunkirk, destroying a Bf 110 and two Ju 87s on 29th May, and a Bf l09 and a He 111 on the 31st. In the latter engagement, Eric was hit by return fire and turned for home but was unable to maintain height and landed on the sea between two destroyers, some five miles from Dover. The aircraft broke up and Barwell and his gunner, who had been knocked unconscious in the crash, were thrown into the sea. Eric held up Pilot Officer Williams until they were rescued.
Eric was credited with the destruction of a Bf 109 on 24th August, 1940, flying with Sergeant A Martin.
Eric was awarded the DFC (11/2/41).

During the night of 10th/11th April, 1941, again with Martin, Eric shot down a He 111 and probably a second. Promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant on 1st July, 1941, he was posted to the newly formed 125 Squadron at Colerne, as a Flight Commander. He took command of the squadron in December, 1941, and held it until February, 1942, when it became a Wing Commander post.

The squadron began to receive Beaufighters from February, 1942, and during the night of 1st/2nd July, Eric damaged a Do 217 near Cardiff.
On 6th September, Eric was posted to HQ 10 Group as Ops Night.
He returned to 125 Squadron, then at Fairwood Common, on 31st March, 1943, again as a Flight Commander. The Squadron re-equipped with Mosquitos from February, 1944.
Eric shot down two Ju 88s during the nights of 23th/24th April and 24th/25th June and on 10th August, 1944, he shot down a V-1 flying bomb over the sea.

On completing his tour, Eric was awarded a Bar to the DFC (15/8/44).

Eric was posted to the Fighter Interception Unit on 18th August. A month later, he went to the Main HQ 2nd TAF, as an Acting Wing Commander.
Eric moved to 148 Wing on 4th April, 1945, as Wing Commander Flying and took command of his first squadron, 264, at Rheine, Germany in late June. The squadron was disbanded there on 25th August, and Eric was released from the RAF on 2nd September, 1945, as a Wing Commander.

Eric Gordon Barwell passed away on 12th december, 2007. His wife died in 2002, and a son, Philip (named in memory of his elder brother), and two daughters survive him.

With kind thanks to Eric's daughter, Sarah.

Eric was the younger brother of Group Captain P. R. Barwell, who served with 242 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.