Emanuel Barnett Lyons was born in London in 1918. While studying at Magdalene College, Cambridge in June 1939 he joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1 September 1939, he completed his training at 22 EFTS and 5 FTS before joining 65 Squadron at Turnhouse on 2 September 1940.

Lyons remained with the squadron until July 1941, when he moved to No. 222 Sqn at Manston. When 243 Squadron was reformed on 1 June 1942, Lyons joined it as a Flight Commander. He went with it to North Africa in November and took part in operations in support of the 1st Army.

In 1944 Lyons was posted to 33 Sqn in France as a supernumerary Flight Lieutenant. Soon afterwards he rejoined No. 222 Sqn, also on the continent, as a Flight Commander. In January 1945 Lyons became Squadron Leader of No. 222 Sqn. It was then at Predannack, having returned to England to convert to Tempests.

He took the squadron to Holland in February and led it until being seriously wounded on 11 April 1945. His Tempest V ZD-V (SN165) was hit by flak during an attack on Fassberg airfield. The canopy, armored headrest and horizontal stabilizer were badly damaged and Lyons was wounded in the head. He was able to fly 200 miles back to his base.

Awarded the DFC (gazetted 8 May 1945), Lyons was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He was awarded the Netherlands Flying Cross (gazetted 21 April 1947) for gallantry, initiative and determination as commander of a squadron in which a number of Netherlands pilots were serving during March and April 1945.

Emanuel Barnett Lyons died in 1992.

ZD-V (SN165) after hit by FLAK.

No. 222 Sqn ORB Form 540

Sources:
Men of the Battle of Britain
Tom Carlquist
No. 222 Sqn ORB Form 540