Colin Fraser Barron
Colin Fraser Barron VC (20 September 1893 – 15 August 1958) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Barron was 24 years old, and a Corporal in the 3rd (Toronto) Bn., Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
[edit] Action
On 6 November 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele, Belgium, when his unit was held up by three machine-guns, Corporal Barron opened fire on them at point-blank range, rushed the guns, killed four of the crew and captured the remainder. He then turned one of the captured guns on the retiring enemy, causing severe casualties. This action produced far-reaching results and enabled the advance to continue.
He was born in Baldavie, Boyndie, Banffshire, Scotland, a son of Margaret Walker Barron, a domestic servant. He was raised in a large household by his grandparents Joseph Barron & Mary Reid along with his brother Alexander Barron and many other half-siblings and aunts and uncles. Colin Fraser Barron is also considered Scottish. He later achieved the rank of sergeant. Grave/memorial at Buried at Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Veteran's Section 7. Grave 3562.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War - Passchendaele 1917 (Stephen Snelling, 1998)
