Colin Fraser Barron

Who was Colin Fraser Barron?

Colin Fraser Barron VC 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.

He was born at Baldavie Cottage, 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 Barron along with his brother Alexander Barron and many other half-siblings and aunts and uncles. He immigrated to Canada in 1910, and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914.

Barron was 24 years old, and a Corporal in the 3rd Battalion, CEF during the First World War when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. 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 later achieved the rank of sergeant-major, and during the Second World War he served with the Royal Regiment of Canada. He is buried in Veteran's Section 7, grave 3562 at Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.