On 28 May 1940, just north of Dunkirk, their flight was attacked by a formation of Bf 109 fighters; handling his aircraft skillfully Thorn enabled Barker to shoot down three of them very quickly.

On a second mission at 1930 hours they shot down another Ju 87 and another Bf 110;[13] Shores also records a share in the destruction of a Heinkel He 111 bomber on that date.

The months after Dunkirk were spent rebuilding the squadron, which had suffered heavy losses, and preparing for the Battle of Britain, which was to come.

On 14 June 1940 both Thorn and Barker were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for their bravery in action and success as a fighter crew.

[18][19] On 24 August,[20] in action against a formation of Junkers Ju 88 bombers which had just bombed RAF Manston, Thorn and Barker shot down one of the enemy,[21][14][8] but Boulton Paul Defiant Mark I serial number ‘’N1535’’ (codes PS-A) was last seen chasing an enemy bomber out to sea, Philip Hunter the squadron commander and his gunner were posted missing when they failed to return.

[29] The Royal Air Force recognised the vulnerability of the Boulton Paul Defiant on daylight operations and assigned its squadrons to night fighting.

In recognition of their success and great bravery during the Battle of Britain Thorn and Barker were both awarded a Bar to their Distinguished Flying Medals on 11 February 1941.

32 Squadron RAF[7] flying Hurricane fighters and breaking up the successful partnership of Ted Thorn and Fred Barker.

Thorn was promoted flying officer on 26 February 1942,[34] and then flight lieutenant on 6 July 1942,[35] and appointed acting squadron leader commanding No.

[39] On 12 February 1946 Thorn was a squadron leader and member of staff at the Empire Central Flying School, where early jet fighters were being flown, when he died in an accident.

[5][14][8][40][12] Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker, as pilot and air gunner respectively, have shown considerable determination and skill when engaging the enemy in a Defiant aircraft.

During the combined operations at Dieppe on 19th August, 1942, he displayed great courage and determination when under heavy fire from the ground defences and he refused to be diverted from his task when warned that he was being attacked by an enemy fighter.