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Nairn's oldest fisherman who served in Royal Navy dies aged 102


By Donald Wilson

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Nairn fisherman William Barron.
Nairn fisherman William Barron.

THE oldest surviving Nairn fisherman – who undertook minesweeping duties during World War II – has passed away aged 102.

William Barron died in Raigmore Hospital a few days after being admitted on November 8.

He was born at 32 Union Street in the Fishertown area of Nairn and lived there all his life.

Survived by his son Kenneth and daughter Sheila Marshall he was predeceased by his wife, Isabella.

Mr Barron was educated at the Links School and Nairn Academy and on leaving school at the age of 14 trained for a spell at a local butchers before getting a berth on a local fishing boat.

He was fishing on the Clyde with a Nairn crew on the MFV Lochloy when war broke out.

The vessel was then requisitioned by the Admiralty and Mr Barron was called up to the Royal Naval Patrol Service.

Throughout the war he worked on minesweeping duties, originally based in Lowestoft but later working throughout the coastal waters of the UK.

Married in 1946 he returned to fishing and was a crew member on the Sea Scout then the Strathnairn before retiring in 1982.

William Barron during his fishing days.
William Barron during his fishing days.

His son said: "He was a quiet man who was happy with his lot.

"He had his cronies and he was able to enjoy his golf at the Nairn Dunbar. He continued playing until he was 89.

"Of his war service, he was proud to have been involved in the Pluto project, which provided a pipeline supplying fuel to the Allied forces as they advanced through Europe after D-Day."

Mr Barron was an elder for more than 30 years at the former Rosebank Church then St Ninian’s Church.

His funeral service took place at St Ninian’s Church on Friday, November 19.


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