The little-known north-east war hero with a Toronto street named after him

Cpl Colin Fraser Barron was awarded a Victoria Cross during his military career
-Credit: (Image: National Defence Canada)


The north-east has produced thousands of soldiers who fought valiantly for their country during the World Wars, but one lesser known man fought in a bloody battle in 1917 and was in receipt of a Victoria Cross medal for his actions.

Corporal Colin Fraser Barron VC was born September 20, 1893 in Baldavie Cottage, located in Boyndie, Banffshire. His mother Maggie was a cleaner and his father William Cowie also a soldier.

After growing up in Aberdeenshire, work on the Canadian railway was next, as he emigrated to Toronto in March 1910, and eventually enlisted in the 48th Highlanders militia unit in May 1913; he was posted to H Company.

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In January 1915 as the First World War gripped the globe, Colin volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was posted to D Company, 35th Battalion.

He would soon climb the ranks further, joining the 3rd (Toronto) Battalion, before being promoted to Lance-Corporal on April 8, 1917 - the same day the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge.

Soon after that however came his defining day on the battlefield - November 6, 1917. The Canadian First Division faced enemy strong points in the north-west of Passchendaele in Belgium, as battles raged on for control of the city of Ypres.

Taking Vine Cottage was the objective in what were horrific rainy and mud-soaked conditions, but to considerable loss, the Lieutenant H.T. Lord's D Company closed in on Vine Cottage.

Driven back before they could get into bombing range, it was then Colin took action while commanding one of the battalion's Lewis gun sections.

He decided to fight his way through, and got his weapon close enough to fire at point-blank range, wiping out two of three machine-gun crews and Vine Cottage in a deadly onslaught.

Colin couldn't reach the third post, but before they could react he attacked and gunned down four men with the rest taken prisoner. The Banffshire soldier then finish by turning the captured machine guns on escapees.

Canadian soldiers battled through the rain and mud at Passchendaele
Canadian soldiers battled through the rain and mud at Passchendaele -Credit:Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

His efforts would see him awarded the Victoria Cross at just 24 years old, and in early 1918 Colin was assigned to the Canadian Corps Lewis Gun School as an instructor, before returning to his homeland to receive a gold watch from the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and a wallet of treasury notes which were raised by public appeal.

A citation in the London Gazette reads: "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 single-handed, 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."

The soldier would soon become a Sergeant, returning to Canada in April 1919 to re-enlist in the 48th Highlanders in 1921, rising to Colour Sergeant Major 10 years later in 1931.

Colin would go on to marry and have two daughters while serving in a variety of jobs including a role with Provincial Police at Kitchener, Orangeville and Niagara Falls.

The Second World War would soon break out however, and then 46, Colin joined the Royal Regiment of Canada who occupied Iceland at the start of the conflict.

He was then named Provost Sergeant-Major at 1st Division headquarters in England, and would retire as a Lieutenant to join the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Don Jail, and Sunnybrook Hospital.

Colin was among those from the Commonwealth who held a Victoria Cross to attend the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II, before his passing in Toronto on August 15, 1958. He was buried in the Veteran's Plot at Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.

Barron Road was named after the Aberdeenshire-born soldier
Barron Road was named after the Aberdeenshire-born soldier -Credit:Google

It's a little-known story of one of the north-east's decorated soldiers, but one of bravery and battling spirit on the frontline that has even seen a street in Toronto named after him.

Today it is a quiet little suburb with a handful of properties and a hall for Jehovah's Witnesses, but his name carries a remarkable story stretching from the north-east to East York in the Canadian city.