Barber served during World War II in the Squadron 250 of the RAF on the Western front in 1942.
He received a DFC in February 1943 and was transferred to the SAAF with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
[3] Barber's official DFC citation says: During operations in the Western Desert this officer displayed great skill and unflagging devotion to duty.
As flight and squadron commander his steady judgment and high morale proved a tower of strength.
In 1 flight during the battle of El Alamein, Squadron Leader Barber destroyed 3 Junkers 87's.