Colin Fraser Barron VC

At the Boyndie Information Centre is a memorial to Corporal Colin Barron VC, who was born locally and attended the school where the Information Centre now is.

sources

Information board at Boyndie Information Centre

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive (online) for the details of his army service.

The London Gazette supplement 30471 page 723 (online)

photos

my own

Version 1.0 Updated 8.8.26

The citation was published in the The London Gazette on the 8th January 1918

supplement 30471

No. 404017 Corpl. Colin Barron, Can. Inf.

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 re-markable 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.

Born in 1893, Colin emigrated to Canada in 1910. In 1915 he volunteered for service in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and it was whilst serving with The 3rd (Toronto) Battalion that his actions were recognised by the awarding of the Victoria Cross.

Colin Barron survived the war, and would actually re-enlist between the Wars, and the again during World War II.