Denis Barnett

Air Chief Marshal Sir Denis Hensley Fulton Barnett, (11 February 1906 – 31 December 1992) was a squadron commander and senior officer in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. In the post war years he held high command, serving as the British air commander during the Suez War and subsequently the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Transport Command and the Commander of British Forces Cyprus.

Personal life Barnett was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, his parents being Sir Louis Barnett and Mabel Violet Barnett née Fulton (daughter of Catherine Fulton and James Fulton). He had three elder brothers, including Miles Barnett, and an older sister. He married Pamela Grant on 22 April 1939, and they went on to have three daughters and one son.

RAF career The New Zealander Barnett was commissioned into the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1929. He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 84 Squadron in 1938 and then served in the Second World War, taking charge of No. 40 Squadron in June 1940. He joined the Air Staff at Headquarters Bomber Command in 1941 and then became station commander at RAF Swanton Morley in 1942.

Barnett returned to the United Kingdom as Air Secretary in 1957. before retiring in 1964.

In retirement he became Board Member for Weapons Research & Development at the Atomic Energy Authority.