Colin Fraser Barron, VC
Section 7, Lot 3562
Prospect Cemetery
Colin Fraser Barron, VC was born on 20 September 1893 in Baldavie, Boyndie, Scotland. He came to Canada in 1910 and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914. Corporal Barron earned the Victoria Cross on 6 November 1917 for his actions near Passchendaele, Belgium, while serving with the 3rd Infantry Battalion. His unit’s objective was to take a “pillbox” containing three machine guns at Goudberg Spur since the fortification blocked the line of advance. Armed with a Lewis light machine gun, Barron worked his way around the flank of the German position. Alone, he opened fire at point-blank range and rushed the machine guns, killing four of the crew and capturing the remainder. Barron then turned one of the captured machine guns on retreating enemy troops, inflicting heavy casualties. His remarkable individual effort enabled his battalion to continue its advance. During the Second World War, Barron served with the Royal Regiment of Canada in Iceland and England. He died in Toronto, Ontario, on 15 August 1958.