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BBC reporter Barron dies aged 69 BBC reporter Barron dies aged 69
(about 2 hours later)
BBC war correspondent Brian Barron has died from cancer at the age of 69. BBC reporter Brian Barron has died from cancer at the age of 69.
He covered wars across five decades, from Aden in 1967 to Iraq in 2003, and served as the BBC's man in some of the world's major cities. He covered wars across five decades, including Aden, Vietnam and both Iraq conflicts, and served as correspondent in some of the world's major cities.
World News Editor Jon Williams said: "He was simply the most distinguished BBC correspondent of our age". World news editor Jon Williams said: "He was simply the most distinguished BBC correspondent of our age".
Barron witnessed many major events and was honoured with several awards. He died at his home in Cornwall surrounded by his family. Barron, who was honoured as Royal Television Society's reporter of the year in 1980, died at his home in Cornwall surrounded by his family.
Joining the BBC World Service in 1965, he witnessed the fall of Saigon and reported from Africa on the demise of Idi Amin. Barron started his journalism career at the Western Daily Press newspaper in Bristol, before joining the BBC in 1965 at the department that later became the World Service.
He covered the Falklands War from Chile, as well as working as Ireland correspondent at the height of the Troubles in the early 1980s. Brian was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places Jon WilliamsBBC world news editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2009/09/brian_barron.html">Read Jon Williams' thoughts in full
He went on to become Aden correspondent, where he reported on the end of 130 years of British rule.
As the BBC's South East Asia correspondent he covered the Vietnam war and - ignoring the BBC's order to leave - witnessed the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces.
He reported on the demise of Idi Amin and in 1980, tracked down the dictator to a secret hideout in Saudi Arabia.
Barron also covered the Falklands War from Chile, as well as working as the BBC's Ireland correspondent at the height of the Troubles.
He had spells as a foreign correspondent in cities including Washington, New York, Cairo, Hong Kong, and Rome.
'An inspiration''An inspiration'
He won several Royal Television Society awards including Reporter of the Year in 1980 and the International Reporting Prize for his coverage from Latin America. After his official retirement, Barron and Eric Thirer, his friend and long-time cameraman, continued to work together in New York.
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Brian Hanrahan looks back at Brian Barron's distinguished TV careerBrian Hanrahan looks back at Brian Barron's distinguished TV career
After his official retirement, Brian and Eric Thirer, his friend and long-time cameraman, continued to work together in New York. And at the start of the Iraq conflict in 2003, Barron reported from the deck of the USS Mobile as the first missile was fired against Saddam Hussein.
Brian was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places Jon WilliamsBBC world news editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2009/09/brian_barron.html">Read Jon's thoughts in full In 2006, Barron was made an MBE for services to broadcasting.
Two years ago, in what would be his final report for the BBC, he returned to Aden, 40 years after the end of empire. Helen Boaden, director of BBC News, said: "He was an inspiration to many generations of journalists for his professionalism, extraordinary experience and lightness of touch. We shall miss him very much."
Jon Williams said: "It was vintage Brian - funny, poignant, but with a message. He was an inspiration to more than one generation of reporters, producers and editors." Mr Williams described Barron as the "quintessential foreign correspondent - suave, impossibly handsome and brave".
He added: "Long before satellite technology made it routine, he took BBC audiences to faraway places, and explained the biggest stories of our times - first on radio, then television.
Brian Barron joined the BBC in 1965 after a spell on newspapers
"He was comfortable and composed in the most dangerous places."
Two years ago, in what would be his final report for the BBC, Barron returned to Aden, 40 years after the end of empire.
Mr Williams said: "It was vintage Brian - funny, poignant, but with a message. He was an inspiration to more than one generation of reporters, producers and editors."
Barron leaves his wife Angela and daughter Fleur.Barron leaves his wife Angela and daughter Fleur.
What are your memories of Brian Barron? Did you ever meet him? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.What are your memories of Brian Barron? Did you ever meet him? Send us your comments and stories using the form below.
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