John Cridlan Barrett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Cridlan Barrett
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| Born | 10 August 1897 Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Died | 7 March 1977 (aged 79) Leicester, Leicestershire, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1916−1945 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | 21885 |
| Unit | Leicestershire Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps |
| Commands held | 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards |  Victoria CrossTerritorial Decoration |
| Other work | Surgeon |
John Cridlan Barrett was a brave English soldier who earned the Victoria Cross. This is the highest and most respected award given for amazing courage in battle to soldiers from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. He was born on August 10, 1897, and passed away on March 7, 1977.
Contents
A Hero in World War I
John Cridlan Barrett was 21 years old during the First World War. He was a lieutenant in the 1/5th Battalion of The Leicestershire Regiment. This was when he performed the incredibly brave act that earned him the Victoria Cross.
The Daring Attack
On September 24, 1918, in a place called Pontruet, France, Lieutenant Barrett's unit was attacking. It was very dark and smoky, making it hard to see. Suddenly, he found himself moving towards a trench filled with many enemy machine-guns.
Without hesitation, he quickly gathered all the soldiers he could find. He then led them in a charge towards the closest group of machine-guns. Even though he was wounded during this charge, he managed to reach the trench. He personally took out two machine-guns and caused many casualties among the enemy.
Wounded but Determined
Despite being wounded a second time, Lieutenant Barrett showed incredible determination. He climbed out of the trench to figure out exactly where they were and where the enemy was located. After understanding their position, he ordered his men to fight their way back to their main battalion. They successfully followed his orders. During this retreat, he was wounded again, this time very seriously. His actions saved many lives and showed extraordinary leadership and bravery.
Life After the War
After the war, John Cridlan Barrett became a skilled surgeon. He worked at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. He continued his service in the military, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War II. He eventually reached the high rank of Colonel.
His Victoria Cross Medal
John Cridlan Barrett's Victoria Cross medal is a very important piece of history. You can see it on display at the Royal Leicestershire Regiment Museum Collection. This museum is located inside the Newarke Houses Museum in Leicester.
