Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance Sergeant

Unit:

4th Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

December 22nd, 1945

"Lance Sergeant Barber’s troop formed part of a regimental task force charged with obtaining information on the strength and dispositions of the enemy artillery retreating from NIJKERK to AMERSFOORT and also to learn if the bridge EAST of AMERSFOORT was still intact.
Towards dusk on 18 April 1945 the force encountered a road block which was strongly defended by the enemy with bazookas and machine guns. Lance Sergeant Barber with his self-propelled gun led the attack engaging the enemy with machine gun fire.. The return fir was intense. When Lance Sergeant Barnber’s self-propelled gun was within 200 yards of the road block his machine gun jammed. Without hesitation he climbed out of his fighting compartment into the open, cleared the gun, and from this expose position continued to engage the enemy and to direct the small arms fire of his detachment. His courage and initiative drew the fire of the enemy away from the balance of his troops, enabling them to outflank the position and put the enemy to flight. Five prisoners were captured from whom valuable information was obtained.
Lance Sergeant Barber’s initiative and courageous action served as an inspiration to all ranks and played no small a part in the eventual success of the whole operation."

Royal decree no. 2, dd. 8-12-1945