Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Fraser C McA  Sapper    3642    Clarence McArthur      2 Div Sig Co    20    Clerk    Single    Pres        

Address:    Essendon, Buckley St, 100    

Next of Kin:    Fraser, Alex, father, 100 Buckley St, Essendon    

Enlisted:    15 Jul 1915        

Embarked:     A40 Ceramic 23 Nov 1915  

Relatives on active service:

Mountain-W-J-Driver-25919      First cousin once removed KIA

Friend of:

Galbraith A G F Sapper 3648 (see In Memoriam notice)

Letter to Mrs Galbraith re Alf's death in Museum Victoria

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/1182093/letter-clarrie-fraser-to-mrs-a-galbraith-world-war-i-21-dec-1916

'Somewhere in France 16/7/16

'Dear Friend

I have no doubt that long before / this letter reaches you, you will have heard / from the authorities, the terrible news of / Alf’s death. / As you are aware, he was attached to a brigade / section of our company, and consequently was / stationed nearer the trenches than myself. / The fatality occurred last night about eight / o’clock, as he and three others were moving from / one dugout to another; one shell passed over / their heads and they took no notice, but the next / minute a bigger one exploded right beside / them; two escaped injury, one named Johnson / was killed outright, and poor old Alf lived but / a few minutes. / This information is correct, Mr Galbraith, as I got it / from eye-witnesses of the occurrence. / I went down to the hospital where the bodies/ were taken today, but could get no more / information that that given above. His personal / effects will be forwarded to you by the authorities' Hand-written in pencil on the second page, body of text: 'and I have one or two little things of his which I / shall send you at the first opportunity. / I know what a terrible blow this will be for / you all, and I feel his loss very much, but all I / can do under the circumstances is to offer you / my heartfelt sympathy. He was a good and true / friend to me and all [illeg.] / speak very highly of him, both as to his word / and personality. He died as a soldier and a / hero and I am sure that you are more proud / of him now, than is he had stayed a slacker / at home. / I am sure you have quite enough to worry you at / present Mr Galbraith so I will close, / Once again offering my sympathy / Yours sincerely / “Did” [illeg.]'

War Service Commemorated                  

Aberfeldie Bowls Club Great War Honour Board

Essendon Town Hall F-L (C McA)

St John's Presbyterian Church                                                                    

Regimental Register