VC Action: Colin Fraser Barron (September 20, 1895- August 15, 1959), was a Canadian, 24 years old, and a Corporal in the 3rd (Toronto) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
A native of Baldavie, Boyndie, Banffshire, Scotland, Barron emigrated with his family to Canada in 1910. He joined the 48th Highlanders, a militia company. When the war broke out he joined the 3rd (Toronto) Battalion of the 1st Central Ontario Regiment, CEF.
On 6 November 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), November 6, 1917, at a strongpoint called Vine Cottage, which was a German pillbox concealed in the ruins of a farmhouse, with 18-inch thick reinforced-concrete walls, and containing three machine guns with a nearly 360-degree field of fire. Repeated attacks on the pillbox were met with repeated reverses. Corporal Barron, who was in charge of a Lewis gun squad, managed to worm his way around the flank of the pillbox, alone, without being seen. He 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 and was one of the last events leading up to the final capture of Passchendaele later that day.
After the war Barron remained in the Army until 1931, leaving with the rank of Company Sergeant-Major. During World War II he enlisted in the Royal Regiment of Canada, served with the Canadian force that occupied Iceland, and later was made provost sergeant-major at 1st Division HQ in England.
He passed away at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto at the age of sixty-three. |
