Lieutenant-Colonel F.F.S. Barlow
2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers

This Officer’s service throughout the operation during some very intricate and difficult situation were of a very high order. By his calm courage, high sense of duty and imperturbability at all times, he has been a constant source of inspiration and example to his bn. I cannot speak too highly of the officer’s services to the Bn and Bde.

(D.S.O. recommendation, 26 Sep 1944)

Born on 8 June 1905 Parkstone, Dorset, Frank Frederick Stewart Barlow was a commissioned officer in the South Wales Borderers since 1924. Having served in India and Palestine during the 1930s, he mobilized with the 2nd Battalion in September 1940. He was promoted to second-in-command in October 1942. The battalion landed on Gold Beach on 6 June 1944, and after Lieutenant-Colonel R.W. Craddock was wounded two days later, Barlow assumed command of the 2nd South Wales Borders.

For leadership in an attack at Le Harve on 10 September, he received the D.S.O.: “Lt-Col Barlow was never daunted, rose quickly to the situation and with great initiative, determination, courage and leadership readjusted his plan. His grasp of the situation, his clear orders and his imperturbability were an inspiration to all ranks. It was entirely due to his handling of the situation that all objectives allotted to him were captured before nightfall.”

After almost six months of near continuous fighting in France and the Low Countries, Barlow relinquished command in November 1944. Major J.T. Boon took over until the arrival of the replacement CO, Lieutenant-Colonel D.R. Wilson in December.

Barlow retired from the army in 1952.