The son of Leonard and Catherine (Monteagle) Barlow, Leonard Monteagle Barlow's father was an engineer. Following in his father's footsteps, Barlow studied electical engineering before he joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. As an S.E.5 pilot, he was known for his resourcefulness. "The Gadget King" developed a method to fire his Vickers and Lewis machine guns simultaneously with a single trigger. On 25 September 1917, he attacked four German aircraft over the Houthulst Forest and shot down three of them in three minutes. Barlow was killed while testing a Sopwith Dolphin.
Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. Leonard Mcnteagle Barlow, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged in aerial combats. He has set a very fine example of courage and dash in attacking and destroying hostile machines. He also attacked and stopped a goods train, silenced a machine gun on an enemy aerodrome, and dispersed troops on the roads from a very low altitude.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 25 August 1917 (30251/8806)
Military Cross (MC) First Bar
2nd Lt. Leonard Monteagle Barlow, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats over a considerable period, during the course of which he destroyed six enemy machines and drove down three out of control. He has taken part in over sixty offensive patrols, of which he led ten. His gallantry and skill have been most marked and consistent.
(M.C. gazetted 25th August, 1917.)
Supplement to the London Gazette, 7 March 1918 (30561/2898)
Military Cross (MC) Second Bar
Lt. Leonard Monteagle Barlow, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. In the course of a fortnight he destroyed several enemy machines; one occasion he attacked four enemy scouts and shot one down in flames, and two others, which were seen to crash. He showed the greatest gallantry, dash and skill.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 18 March 1918 (30583/3418)
