FRASER, William
| Service Number: | 4485 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Dingwall, Ross Shire, Scotland, , 11 December 1891 |
| Home Town: | Goulburn, Goulburn Mulwaree, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Dingwall, Scotland, |
| Occupation: | Medical Orderly |
| Died: | Killed In Action-Shell-Fire, France, 18 September 1918, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, France Grave III. H. 12. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 4485, 2nd (SA) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 1915: | Involvement Australian Army Chaplains' Department, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of Victoria embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 10 Sep 1915: | Embarked Australian Army Chaplains' Department, HMAT Star of Victoria, Melbourne | |
| 15 Jan 1916: | Involvement Private, 4485, 2nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Osterley embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 15 Jan 1916: | Embarked Private, 4485, 2nd Infantry Battalion, RMS Osterley, Sydney | |
| 22 Aug 1916: | Embarked Australian Army Chaplains' Department, RMS Mooltan, Melbourne | |
| 22 Aug 1916: | Involvement Australian Army Chaplains' Department, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Mooltan embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 7 Jul 1917: | Wounded 4485, 2nd (SA) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), GSW to left thigh, 3rd Australian Field Ambulance | |
| 24 Jun 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, 'In an operation against the enemy position South West of METEREN on night 23/24th June 1918, Lance Corporal FRASER had charge of a party to mop up first objective of right attacking Company. On arriving at objective, he led his party down the narrow enemy trench, and though wounded before arriving he still kept going, killed 7 of the enemy and cleared the trench for 200 yards. He set a splendid example of bravery and devotion to duty.' | |
| 29 Jun 1918: | Wounded 4485, 2nd (SA) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), Wonded in action and remained on duty. Recommended for D.C.M., however FRASER received the M.M. S.W of Meteren, France during operation on night 23/24 June 1918 this N.C.O. had charge of party to mop up first objective and right attaching Company. On arrival at the objective FRASER led his party, down the narrow enemy trench and, although wounded before arriving at the trench, this N.C.O. still kept on going and killed 7 enemy and cleared the trench for nearly 200 yards. He has shown great courage and devotion to duty and would not be evacuated. His dash and pluck is worthy of highest recommendation. | |
| 18 Sep 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 4485, 2nd Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4485 awm_unit: 2 Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-09-18 |
Corporal William Fraser, MSM, MM (Evanton)
Ross and Cromarty Heritage, Scotland
As briefly stated in a recent issue Cpl. Wm. Fraser, M.S.M., M.M., Australians, was killed in action on the 18th Sept., 1918. When war broke out, Corpl. Fraser and his brother, Pte. John Fraser, were in Australia in responsible positions.
The war was only a few months in progress when they joined up. After training in Australia and Egypt they eventually arrived in France, where they took part in much severe fighting. Corpl. Fraser was wounded last year, and was sent to Blighty to recuperate. He afterwards rejoined his battalion and during the severe German offensive in April last was again wounded slightly. However, after a short stay at a base hospital, he was able to rejoin his comrades and to take part in some of the fiercest engagements of the war.
He was awarded the M.S.M., and later the M.M. for gallantry on the field, but, alas, he did not long enjoy his well-won decorations and he fell in action as already stated. A bright promising, fearless soldier, his kindly disposition endeared him to many, and his loss is mourned to-day by a wide circle of friends. He was 25 years of age. Pte. John Fraser was gassed in the May offensive, and is at present undergoing hospital treatment. Photographs of the gallant lads appear today.
They are the two eldest sons of Mr and Mrs Jas. Fraser, Knockancurin, Evanton.
Submitted 27 September 2018 by Steven Slater
Corporal William Fraser, MSM, MM (Evanton)
Ross and Cromarty Heritage, Scotland
As briefly stated in a recent issue Cpl. Wm. Fraser, M.S.M., M.M., Australians, was killed in action on the 18th Sept., 1918. When war broke out, Corpl. Fraser and his brother, Pte. John Fraser, were in Australia in responsible positions.
The war was only a few months in progress when they joined up. After training in Australia and Egypt they eventually arrived in France, where they took part in much severe fighting. Corpl. Fraser was wounded last year, and was sent to Blighty to recuperate. He afterwards rejoined his battalion and during the severe German offensive in April last was again wounded slightly. However, after a short stay at a base hospital, he was able to rejoin his comrades and to take part in some of the fiercest engagements of the war.
He was awarded the M.S.M., and later the M.M. for gallantry on the field, but, alas, he did not long enjoy his well-won decorations and he fell in action as already stated. A bright promising, fearless soldier, his kindly disposition endeared him to many, and his loss is mourned to-day by a wide circle of friends. He was 25 years of age. Pte. John Fraser was gassed in the May offensive, and is at present undergoing hospital treatment. Photographs of the gallant lads appear today.
They are the two eldest sons of Mr and Mrs Jas. Fraser, Knockancurin, Evanton.
Submitted 27 September 2018 by Steven Slater
Biography contributed by Adrian Jones
EVANDALE PRESBYTERIAN.
The Rev. William Fraser, B.A. who is to be inducted into the pastoral charge of the Evandale and Deddlngton Presbyterian Church on Friday, is a man with a fine career behind him. Five years ago he was raised to the Moderator's chair in Victoria. and for many years has been convener of several of the important committees of that church. During the war he went away with the A.I.F. in the capacity of chaplain and was for two years with the Australian Light Horse in Egypt. His ministerial work began in the country, but for the last 20 years he has ministered to the large and influential congregation in Ascot Vale, a suburb of Melbourne. A great sorrow came to him with the loss of his wife, a woman who had not only helped him in his work, but had drawn a large circle of friends around her because of her own interest, charm,and character. Her long period of illness, which called forth the instant attendance of the husband, resulted in the inevitable breakdown, made it impossible for Mr. Fraser to continue his work at Ascot Vale. For sometime he has been resting and gradually getting back to health. The committee of the Evandale charge heard that there was a possibility of inducing Mr. Fraser to come to Tasmania and immediately offered him a straight out call as their minister, which to the satisfaction of all who know him in Tasmania, he decided to accept. The induction service on Friday at Evandale church is in the hands of the Presbytery of Tasmania and will be presided over by Rev.W. Mabin. The music will be in the hands of St. Andrew's choir. After the service a, welcome social is being tendered Mr. Fraser by his new parishioners.
Daily Telegraph Wednesday 26 May 1926 page 2
Biography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
The village Niltiarn shown on his Attestation is believed to be a mis-spelling of Kiltearn (Gaelic: Cill Tighearna), a parish in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. The principal settlement is the village of Evanton, and the parish extends almost to Dingwall and about halfway to Alness
Biography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
When he attested in August 1915, he stated his age to be 22 years and 8 months and gave his father James of Knockan Cairn, Evanton as Next of Kin.
An Australian soldier, William Fraser is commemorated on the honour board of Dingwall Academy and as William was born in Dingwall, it is reasonable to assume this is one and the same.
Two other Australian casualties of the Great War are also honoured there.
Biography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon
He was also recommended for the award of the DCM [Distinguished Conduct Medal].
He was initially interred in the 1st Australian Division Cemetery at Hébécourt.
He was presented with his Military Medal by United States General John Pershing in the field.
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