Colin Muir Barber | |
---|---|
Major-General C. M. Barber, GOC 15th (Scottish) Division, in conversation with the crew of an Achilles 17-pounder tank destroyer near Goch, 20 February 1945.
|
|
Nickname(s) | "Tiny" |
Born |
Birkenhead, England |
27 June 1897
Died | 5 May 1964 | (aged 66)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | British Army |
Years of service | 1916–1955 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Unit | Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Commands held | 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders 46th Infantry Brigade 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division Scottish Command |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Mentioned in despatches (5) Commander of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Croix de Guerre (Belgium) |
Lieutenant General Sir Colin Muir Barber KBE, CB, DSO & Bar (27 June 1897 – 5 May 1964) was a senior British Army officer who fought in both World War I and World War II where he commanded the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division during their actions across Northwest Europe, from August 1944 until Victory in Europe Day in May 1945. Barber was reputed to be the tallest officer in the British Army (at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)), and thus earned the ironic nickname "Tiny".
Barber was educated at Uppingham School. He was married twice, first, in 1929, to Mary Edith Nixon. The couple had a son and a daughter; Mary died in 1949. His second wife was Mrs Anthony Milburn.
Barber was mobilised in 1916 during the First World War and served with the British Army's Liverpool Scottish in France and Belgium. In March 1918, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, continuing to serve in France and Belgium with the 1st Battalion until the end of the war.