Digitised@SLQ: Percival Victor Fraser Aviator's Certificate

Aviator's certificate belonging to Percy Fraser

State Library has recently digitised the aviator's certificate of Percival Victor Fraser, who served in the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War. The certificate is a passport-like booklet, titled: Federation Aeronautique Internationale. British Empire. Aviator's certificate, and was issued in 1915.

Percy Fraser ready to fly an aeroplane, wearing suit and shoes and a leather flying cap. The aircraft maybe a Voisin-Farnam 111, 50hp Rotary 7 cylinder.

Percival Fraser was born on 25th October 1886 in Rockhampton, Queensland to William Fraser and Annie Grieve. Fraser was an engineer when war broke out, and he enlisted in the Eastbourne unit of the Royal Flying Corps on 25th November 1914. As a wireless operator he was promoted to Warrant Officer II, and was killed in a flying accident on 10th January 1916 at Hampden Park, England. He is interred in the Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.

The Telegraph, Brisbane, Tuesday 14 March 1916, p.8

In March 1919, the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin reported a ceremony  to be held at the School of Arts in Rockhampton, to present memorials to the families of the fallen - local men who enlisted in the First World War. Organised the Sailors' and Soldiers' Appreciation Committee, the ceremony attracted a large crowd, and memorials were presented to next-of-kin by the Mayoress, Mrs. C. O. Gough. The Municipal Band escorted returned soldiers from the Post Office to the School of Arts. Percy's mother Annie was listed as his nearest relative.

Robyn Hamilton - QANZAC100 Content Curator, State Library of Queensland