James Fraser Barron
Born 9 Jan 1921 - Died 20 May 1944
- Service number
- WWII NZ401749 AWMM
- WWII 401749 AWMM
- WWII 401749 AWMM
- Also known as
- J. Fraser Barron AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Last rank
- Wing Commander AWMM Royal Air Force, No. 7 Squadron AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
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- Forenames
- James Fraser AWMM
- Surname
- Barron AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
- J. Fraser Barron AWMM
- Service number
- WWII NZ401749 AWMM
- WWII 401749 AWMM
- WWII 401749 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 9 Jan 1921 RNZAF Embarkation Roll (R17845762)
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
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- Post war occupation
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- Next of kin
- WW2 Mother: Mrs W. E. Barron of Palmerston South, Otago AWMM
- Relationship status
- Single/WWII AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Europe (Air) AWMM
- Europe (Air) AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Service number
- WWII NZ401749 AWMM
- WWII 401749 AWMM
- WWII 401749 AWMM
- Military service
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Companion of the Distinguished Service Order and bar (DSO*) AWMM
DSO: NZ Gazette, 6 May 1944. Citation: "One night in February 1943, this officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. When nearing the target area his aircraft was held in a cone of searchlights and subjected to heavy fire from ground defences. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Barron remained on his course, defying an intense and concentrated barrage and pressed home a successful attack on his second run over the target." (Haigh & Polaschek, p300) DSO Bar: NZ Gazette, 23 June 1944. Citation: "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." (Haigh & Polaschek, p300) AWMM - Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) AWMM
- Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) AWMM
- 1939-1945 Star AWMM
- Air Crew Europe Star AWMM
- Defence Medal AWMM
- War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) AWMM
- Companion of the Distinguished Service Order and bar (DSO*) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Jul 1940 AWMM
Age 19 AWMM
Clerk AWMM - Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Leading Aircraftman/Military AWMM Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Wing Commander AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 7 Squadron AWMM - Last rank
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Biographical information
- James Barron was the son of James Barron, and of Winifred Ellen Barron (nee Fraser), of Palmerston, Otago.
Barron was one of 55 New Zealanders to join the Royal Air Force's Pathfinder Force (RAF PFF) in 1942.
On one particular mission, Barron was flying a Stirling, one of the first four-engined aircraft, through appalling weather to raid the factories of the Ruhr. Long before they reached their target, their bomb circuit was wrecked by flak. This made it impossible to release the 5000lbs of bombs in the bomb-racks and only those under the wings could be dropped. On the flight back to Britain, deteriorating weather forced Barron to detour thousands of miles. The added distance, combined with the load of bombs created anxieties over fuel. Over the Channel Isles he discovered he had enough left for only ten more minutes' flying. Three of his engines cut out as he landed, without time for the customary circuit, at the first airport on England's southern coast. Every drop of fuel had gone. The flight had lasted nine hours and ten minutes. One minute or so more could have brought disaster.
Barron was promoted to Wing Commander in February 1944. He took command of 7 Squadron, Pathfinder Force, RAF at this time.
Barron described his crew as "the most wonderful chaps in the world." In a letter dated 6 March 1944, he wrote: "The only thing I was frightened of was that some day I would let them down and not be able to bring them home."
He died on a raid at Le Mans, France.
Attended Waitaki Boys' High School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845607))
Attended Waitaki Boys' High School, Oamaru.
1264 hours as Pilot (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845607)) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 20 May 1944 AWMM
Age 23 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Le Mans West Cemetery, Sarthe, France AWMM Plot 21. Row C. Joint grave 20. AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Waitaki Boys' High School Roll of Honour WWII 1939-45 AWMM
Sources
- External links
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2846498
Sources Used - RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ue - Z. Archives New Zealand (R17845617)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845607
Sources Used - Chin, J. (2026, April 24). Maheno to honour decorated bomber command pilot. Otago Daily Times.
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/maheno-honour-decorated-bomber-command-pilot
Further Reference - New Zealand War Graves Trust
https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/
Further Reference
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
- References
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 5 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1941 to 30 September, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
- Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
- The Weekly News
1944 - Thompson, H. (1956). New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force (Vols. 1-3). Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Stowers, R. (2009). Bomber Barron: Wing Commander James Fraser Barron, DSO & Bar, DFC, DFM, Pathfinder Pilot. Hamilton, N.Z.: Author.
- RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ab - B. Archives New Zealand (R17845607) - Former archives reference: AIR118
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [Missing - But Presumed Dead on Lapse of Time - Officers, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845743)
- Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942, Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762)
- Royal New Zealand Air Force. (1941–1945). Contact: National magazine of the R.N.Z.A.F.; the official organ of the Air Force Association (Inc.). Levin, New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force.
V3,n3,p55 v3,n4,p54,75 v3,n5,p65 v6,n2,p23 v6,n2,p61 v7,n3,p57 - McDonald, K. C. (1958). A history of Waitaki Boys’ High School, 1883-1958. Christchurch [N.Z.] : Whitcombe and Tombs.
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