Brothers Fraser
By Marg Powell, Specialist Library Technician, Metadata Services | 27 March 2017
Letters, photographs and memorial cards commemorate the lives of brothers William and John Fraser, who were raised in Cooloolabin, near Yandina.
2nd Lieutenant William Fraser, 7th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC), 1916
M 836, John and William Fraser photographs and correspondence, State Library of Queensland
Eldest brother William, a member of the fledgling Queensland Aero Club, traveled to England to complete his pilot training in 1915 and served with the Royal Flying Corps, attached to the British Army.
Letter from William Fraser to friends Mary and Jamima Gray, 12 October 1916. Item 7, John and William Fraser photographs and correspondence, State Library of Queensland
William's correspondence indicates that he was an avid photographer and took numerous photos of his journey from Australia to Europe.
The use of air borne craft in war was new during the First World War, men not only trained to fly but to repair their machines. William's squadron flew both reconnaissance and bombing missions during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Sadly William and his crew were shot down behind German lines during operations in the Battle of the Ancre Heights, in Gommecourt, France. William died of wounds he received sustained in the crash, 25 October 1916.
Image from the memorial card for Private John Fraser, 52nd Australian Infantry Battalion, 1918. Item 3, M 836, John and William Fraser photographs and correspondence, State Library of Queensland
Younger brother John (Jack) Fraser enlisted in June 1917 six months after his brother William was killed. With three years experience with the local rifle club, he was assigned to reinforce the 52nd Infantry Battalion.
Jack left Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera for Europe in October 1917. He contracted measles whilst on board ship but recovered to join the 52nd Battalion in England for training before embarking for France.
Jack was hospitalized in May 1918 after gas poisoning and when he returned to duty he was transferred to reinforce the depleted 49th Infantry Battalion in the Somme Valley. Two months later Jack was killed in action near Bray on 12 August 1918.
Jack's comrades reported that he died instantly after being hit by a shell in the front lines. Their statements can be read on the digitised Red Cross Missing and Wounded files at the Australian War Memorial.
Memorial cards for brothers William and John Fraser, who both served and died during the First World War.
Items 2 and 3, M 836, John and William Fraser photographs and correspondence, State Library of Queensland.
William Fraser is remembered at the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery. The memorial commemorates nearly 1,000 airmen from forces of the Commonwealth who were killed on the Western Front during the First World War and who have no known grave.
John Fraser is buried at Cote 80 French National Cemetery, Etinehem, France. His headstone is inscribed "In memory of a loving son".
Read more ...
- 'Our fallen are never forgotten' Sunshine Coast Daily 7 August 2016
- Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files: Private John Fraser
- Roll of Honour: Fraser, John
- Service record: Fraser, John
- M 836 John and William Fraser Photographs and Correspondence
Comments
Your email address will not be published.
We welcome relevant, respectful comments.