James Fraser Barron was considered an outstanding pilot and was one of four New Zealanders awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order. He was born in Dunedin, lived in "Palmerston South," boarded at Oamaru and trained as a pilot at Taieri and Wigram. He embarked for Britain in January, 1941.
His first British posting was at No. 20 Officer Training Unit at Lossiemouth, Scotland. After OTU training, which included surviving a ditching in a Vickers Wellington (not officially part of the course), he was posted to No. 15 Squadron, flying the four-engined Short Stirling. In May, 1942, after 42 operations, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.
AIR AWARDS
N.Z. PILOTS PRAISED
Recognition For Dominion And British Airmen
Flight-Sergeant James Fraser Barron, of the R.N.Z.A.F.. has been awarded the D.F.M. His citation states that he has completed many operational flights as captain of aircraft, including attacks against Berlin. Frankfurt, Bremen and Brest, and proved most reliable, efficient and courageous, pressing home his attacks regardless of opposition. He was born in Dunedin in 1921. His home is Palmerston South, where he was a clerk before enlistment in 1940 for training as a pilot under the Commonwealth training plan. -Auckland Star, 27/5/1942.
He then spent some time as an instructor in a Conversion Unit, training aircrew to fly their new planes, but preferred operational flying and was posted to No. 7 Squadron, one of the first Pathfinder units, in September 1942. The job of the Pathfinder bombers was to mark the chosen target for the following bombers, using coloured flares to show where to drop their bombs. He flew 16 operations with No. 16, was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
GALLANT AIRMAN
DEVOTION TO DUTY
THREE TIMES DECORATED
(P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. With his award of D.S.O. just made, Acting-Flight- Lieutenant James Fraser Barron, D.F.C., D.F.M., R.N.Z.A.F., formerly of Wellington, enters a category exclusive to himself in the role of honour of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Although not the first member of the New Zealand air personnel overseas to be trebly decorated, he is the first and only New Zealander to be entitled to wear together the ribbons of the D.S.O., D.F.C, and the D.F.M. Acting-Flight-Lieutenant Barron was 22 in January, having been born in Dunedin. His father, Mr. J. Barron, lives in Palmerston (Otago).
The official citation to the award reads:— "Acting-Flight-Lieutenant Barron during a night operation last month, was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. When nearing the target area his aircraft was held in searchlights and subjected to heavy fire from the ground defences. Lieutenant Barron remained on his course, however, defying the intense barrage, and pressed home a successful attack. On his second run over the target in this operation he displayed exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty, thus setting an example of the highest order." -Auckland Star, 6/3/1943.
PALMERSTON AIRMAN
NOTABLE RECORD
Flight Lieutenant James Fraser Barron, to whom the award of the D.S.O. in addition to the D.F.C. and D.F.M. has been announced, is the only son of Mr and Mrs James Barron, of Kirkwall street, Palmerston.
Flight Lieutenant Barron was born at Dunedin in 1921, and received his primary education at Maheno. After four years’ secondary education at the Waitaki Boys’ High School, he entered the public service with the Mines Department at Wellington, enlisting later with the Air Force, and commencing his training under the Empire Scheme in July, 1940.
He has participated in 67 raids over enemy territory, and his parents received cabled advice recently that he has now been withdrawn from operational flying and posted to duties as an instructor, much against his personal wishes. He was invested with his first decoration, the D.F.M., at Buckingham Palace on November 11 last. The award followed a series of raids on Berlin, Frankfurt, Bremen, and Brest, in which he was captain of an aircraft, and the citation described him as being “most reliable, efficient, and courageous in pressing home attacks regardless of the opposition." The award of the D.F.C. followed in February, and the citation again referred to his courage and to his tenacity in accomplishing the tasks alloted to him. In his determination to strike the enemy on every possible occasion and with the greatest destructive effect, the citation added, he displayed complete disregard of his personal safety.
The gaining of triple honours by Flight-Lieutenant Barron has brought messages of congratulation to his parents from all parts of the Dominion. -Otago Daily Times, 6/3/1943.
James, "much against his personal wishes," was promoted Squadron Leader and posted to No. 11 OTU Squadron. By the end of 1943, he had persuaded his Group Captain to return him to operations and he rejoined No 7 Squadron, now equipped with the Lancaster bomber, a newer design than the Stirling. He was promoted to Wing Commander in February, 1944 and succeeded to command his Squadron in April.
James and his Lancaster crew were often given the task of "Master Bomber" for raids on Germany, having the dangerous job of directing the Pathfinder bombers in their marking of the chosen target. The longer times flying close to and over the target increased the danger to the plane and crew significantly. For operations as Master Bomber, James was awarded a Bar to his DSO. The citation for this award read:
"One night in May 1944, this officer participated in an attack on an airfield at Nantes. By his appreciation of the responsibilities entrusted to him and the skill and precision with which he executed his attack, Wing Commander Barron contributed in a large measure to the success achieved. Since being awarded the Distinguished Service Order, this officer has taken part in many attacks on dangerous and difficult targets. He is an outstanding captain whose example of skill, bravery and determination has impressed all."
It was in May, 1944, when James' luck finally ran out. Serving as Master Bomber on a raid on Le Mans, France, his Lancaster was lost. His was one of two from the Squadron lost that night and it is believed that the two collided. He was posted missing in late June. He was buried in the Le Mans West Cemetery.
 |
| Le Mans West Cemetery. |
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE
BARRON.—The death is now officially presumed on air operations, over Le Mans, France, on May 20, 1944, of Acting Wing Commander James Fraser Barron, D.S.O. and bar, D.F.C., D.F.M., beloved only son of Winifred and the late James Barron,Palmerston; aged 23 years. -Otago Daily Times, 19/5/1945.
 |
| Palmerston Cemetery. |
No comments:
Post a Comment