Personal info
- Name: Colin Fraser BARRON
- D.O.B: 20th Sep, 1893
- D.O.A: 6th Nov, 1917
- D.O.D: 15th Aug, 1958
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Corporal, 3rd Battalion 1st Central Ontario Regiment (Toronto Regiment), 1st Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 2
Passchendaele, Belgium 6 November 1917
6 November 1917
The First World War 1917
On 6 November 1917 Allied forces attacked the German positions still holding out on Passchendaele Ridge. 3rd Battalion 1st Central Ontario Regiment formed part of the Canadian 1st Division which attacked west and north-west of the village. Corporal C F Barron, a Lewis gunner with D Company, distinguished himself in the capture of the German stronghold at Vine Cottage. Meanwhile, 27th Battalion The Manitoba Regiment took part in the assault on Passchendaele itself. One machine-gun post in the ruins of the main street held up the advance and caused many casualties until it was knocked out by Private J P Robertson. Later in the day Robertson was killed by a shell while rescuing wounded Canadian soldiers. The Canadian Corps took part in one further attack on the 10th. This marked the final stage of the Third Battle of Ypres.
Citation
For conspicuous bravery when in attack his unit was held up by three machine-guns. Corpl. Barron opened on them from a flank at point-blank range, rushed the enemy guns singlehanded, killed four of the crew, and captured the remainder. He then, with remarkable initiative and skill, turned one of the captured guns on the retiring enemy, causing them severe casualties. The remarkable dash and determination displayed by this N.C.O. in rushing the guns produced far-reaching results, and enabled the advance to be continued.