Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918
This is possibly RSM Alexander Fraser, a detail from a group
photo of the Headquarters Detail of the 7 Inf Bn just prior
to embarkation. The campaign medals may be from the
South African War, where Fraser served with the Cameron
Highlanders.
Fraser A RSM 1 Alexander 7 Inf Bn 35 Soldier Married R C
Address: Moonee Ponds, Eglinton St, 183
Next of Kin: Fraser, Jessie, Mrs, 183 Eglinton St, Moonee Ponds
48 Washington St, Essendon by 1923
Enlisted: 17 Aug 1914
Embarked: A20 Hororata 19 Oct 1914
Prior service: 16 years 1st and 4th Cameron Highlanders; 1st Victorian Scottish Regiment; Instrnl Staff
Fraser was promoted to 2nd Lieut on 24 April 1915, a day prior to the Gallipoli landing. He was invalided to Australia with a gunshot wound. He returned to duty on 4 Feb 1916 and allotted to 38 Infantry Bn. He was still aged 35, apparently. He was again promoted to Captain Adjutant on 1 May 1916. He was Mentioned In Dispatches by General Sir Douglas Haig, and later awarded the Military Cross by Major-General John Monash.
Fraser A Captain Alexander 38 Inf Bn 35 Soldier Married RC
Address, West Melbourne, Hawke St, 15
Next of Kin: Fraser, Jessie, Mrs, wife, 15 Hawke St, West Melbourne
Enlisted: 28 Apr 1915
Embarked: A54 Runic 20 Jun 1916
Awards: MC, MID.
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Lieutenant A. Fraser, late of Eglinton, street Moonee Ponds, who, as Sergeant-Major, left here with the dashing 7th Battalion, returned to Victoria by the Themistocles. Lieutenant Fraser is looking surprisingly well when is stated that in the dread fighting that took place at Cape Helles on 8th May he was thrice wounded in the head, side and foot. He remembers nothing for eight days after receiving his wounds, when he regained consciousness and realised that he was a patient in a hospital at Alexandria. Lieutenant Fraser escaped septic poisoning, and his recovery has therefore been rapid. Like all the plucky Australian boys, he says he will be ready and willing to, get back to the firing line in a few days.
D.C.M. WINNER. (1915, September 23). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 15, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74590184
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MID 9 April 1917
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Citation for Military Cross
Captain FRASER has been Adjutant of his Battalion since its inception in February 1916, and has had continuous service in FRANCE since November 1916. He has always shown great devotion to duty, and has not not spared himself in any way in the performance thereof. During the various operations in which his Battalion has taken part, he has spared no effort to bring them to a successful termination, and has frequently carried out his duties quietly and courageously under the most trying conditions.
Major General John Monash, CO 3rd Australian Division
1 Oct 1917
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm28/1/awm28-1-148part1-0047.pdf
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Captain Alexander Fraser, M.C., adjutant to the 58th Battalion, died suddenly in the Caulfield Hospital on Saturday. Captain Fraser served overseas with the original 7th Battalion, and returned to Australia wounded. He again volunteered for service, and was awarded the Military Cross. The funeral will leave the Cheltenham railway station at half-past 2 o'clock this afternoon for the Cheltenham cemetery. Officers and members of the battalions with which Captain Fraser was associated are requested to attend in uniform.
PERSONAL. (1923, July 2). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2011473
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Non-issued Probates and Administrations VPRS 7933/P1, Units 1-70 only, 1851-1952, an indexing project of Ada Ackerly, 2008.
Mentioned in Correspondence
Mentioned in a postcard written by Lt E W Latchford, 1916
War Service Commemorated
Essendon Town Hall F-L
Patriotic Concert 1914
Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour Wounded
“Send off to the Essendon Boys”
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