Colin Fraser Barron VC (1893 - 1958)

Ancestors

Biography

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. He was born on 20 September 1893 in Baldavie Cottage in Boyndie, Banffshire, Scotland. His mother, Margaret Barron, was a cleaner and his father, William Cowie, was a soldier. They were not married.^[1] He was raised in a large household by his grandparents Joseph Barron & Mary (née Reid) Barron along with his brother Alexander Barron and many other half-siblings and aunts and uncles. He emigrated to Canada in 1910, and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914.^[2]

Colin was educated at Blairmaud, Boyndie, Banff. He emigrated to Canada in March 1910 and settled in Toronto, where he worked on the railways as a teamster. He enlisted in 48th Highlanders (Militia) on 16th May 1913 and served in H Company. He enlisted in D Company, 35th Battalion on 25th January 1915 and on 5th April he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Toronto. He sailed from Montreal on 4th June and on 17th July proceeded to Boulogne to join 3rd Battalion.

After a bout of bronchitis, he was attached to 1st Canadian Brigade Machine Gun School in November 1915. An infected foot saw him out of action through December 1915 to January 1916, and health problems dogged him throughout 1916. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 9th April 1917 and Corporal on 1st July.

On 6th 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 awarded the VC (11th January 1918) for this action. He was then attached to Canadian Corps School and was appointed Acting Sergeant. He was also an instructor and was given leave in March 1918. While in Scotland, he became a Freemason, being initiated into Saint Andrew Lodge No 52, Banff. On the 6th April 1918, he received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace. He then took Lewis Gun instruction to become an instructor at Canadian Corps School. He rejoined 3rd Battalion in February 1919 and by April, he was sailing back to Canada, where he was demobbed on the 23rd.

Colin rejoined the 48th Highlanders on 4th November 1921 and following promotion to Company Sergeant Major, was discharged on 22nd May 1931. Colin had married Helen Milne on 23rd September 1921 in Toronto.^[3] She was originally from Aberdeen, Scotland.^[4] They lived at 396 Rhodes Avenue, Toronto and went on to have two children – Helen and Marjory. Colin joined the Provincial Police and served at Kitchener, Orangeville and Niagara Falls. He attempted to join the National Force but was rejected for being too short. He then ran his own transport business while also employed with the Ontario Department of Highways, but during the Depression he was out of work for two years. He eventually became a guide at the Provincial Government building and was then on the staff of Don Jail. On 9th November 1929 he attended the VC Dinner at the House of Lords, and was one of 7 VCs presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Queen’s Park, Toronto in 1939.

On the outbreak of WWII, he enlisted with Royal Regiment of Canada and took part in the occupation of Iceland. He was later appointed Provost Sergeant Major of HQ 1st Canadian Division in England. After the war, he returned to his job as a security guard at Don Jail. He joined the Toronto Corps of Commissionaires, serving with the Canadian Broadcasting Commission TV studios, Hester How School and Sunnybrook Hospital. He was present at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and attended the VC Centenary Celebrations in June 1956.

Colin died in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto on 15th August 1958 and was buried in Prospect Cemetery^[5][6] in the Veteran’s Section. In addition to the VC, Colin was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, Defence Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal 1939-45 with Maple Leaf clasp, War Medal 1939-45, George VI Coronation Medal 1937 and Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953. The medals were held privately for a number of years, until 5th December 2017 at Spink’s, London they came up for auction.^[7] The hammer price was CAN $350,000 (£206,000) and they were purchased by the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa in conjunction with Lesley Barron-Kerr, the great great granddaughter of Colin.^[8]

Awards

Medal entitlement of Company Sergeant Major Colin Barron, 3rd Bn, ( 1st Central Ontario Regiment ), CEF ^[9]

• Victoria Cross
• 1914-15 Star
• British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
• Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )
• 1939-45 Star
• Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal ( 1939-45 ) -'Maple Leaf' clasp
• War Medal ( 1939-45 )
• King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
• Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal ( 1899 )

Sources

1. ↑ The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive. "Barron, Colin Fraser". https://qormuseum.org/soldiers-of-the-queens-own/barron-colin-fraser/ Accessed 29 May 2022.
2. ↑ Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute. "Who was Colin Fraser Barron?" https://bootcampmilitaryfitnessinstitute.com/2021/09/13/who-was-colin-fraser-barron/ Accessed 29 May 2022.
3. ↑ "Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27D6-XGJ : 8 March 2021), Colin Barron and Helen Milne, 23 Sep 1921; citing registration , Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,295,104.
4. ↑ Wedding Announcement. Daily Record. Glasgow, Scotland. 22 Oct 1921. Page 6. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102781505/barron-colin-fraser-milne-helen/ Accessed 29 May 2022.
5. ↑ Mount Pleasant Group. "Colin Fraser Barron, VC". https://www.mountpleasantgroup.com/en-CA/General-Information/Our%20Monthly%20Story/story-archives/prospect-cemetery/Barron.aspx Accessed 29 May 2022.
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Colin Fraser Barron (20 Sep 1893–15 Aug 1958), Find A Grave: Memorial #7033973, citing Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Find a Grave .
7. ↑ News Clipping. Passchendaele Medal to be sold at auction. The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan. 6 Nov 2017, page 21. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102782050/passchendaele-medal-auction/ Accessed 29 May 2022.
8. ↑ The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria & George Cross. "Colin Fraser Barron, VC". http://www.vconline.org.uk/colin-f-barron-vc/4585952381.html Accessed 29 May 2022.
9. ↑ THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR COLIN BARRON. http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbbarron.htm Accessed 29 May 2022

See Also:

• "United Kingdom, Outgoing Passenger Lists, 1890-1960", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:68GL-PQMW : 27 October 2021), Colin Barron, 1912.

• Canada.ca. Victoria Cross Recipients. "Colin Fraser Barron". https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/medals/victoria-cross-recipients/colin-fraser-barron.html Accessed 29 May 2022.

• Harvey, David (1999). Monuments to Courage : Victoria Cross Headstones and Memorials. Vol.1, 1854-1916. Kevin & Kay Patience. OCLC 59437297.

• Harvey, David (1999). Monuments to Courage : Victoria Cross Headstones and Memorials. Vol.2, 1917-1982. Kevin & Kay Patience. OCLC 59437300.

• Wikipedia: Colin Fraser Barron

• Wikidata: Item Q5145111, en:Wikipedia