Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 47
CC Fraser (left), JS Fraser (right) Family Group:
A Second War M.C. group of six awarded to Major C. C. Fraser, Royal Engineers, attached to the 18th Field Company, Royal Bengal Sappers and Miners, for his gallantry leading an attack during an attempt to relieve Indian troops at Mezze, Syria on 20 June 1941. Wounded during this attack, he later died of wounds received in action in Italy, August 1944 Military Cross,
G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1941, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure; Memorial Scroll ‘Major C. C. Fraser, M.C., Corps of Royal Engineers’, extremely fine
Five: Major J. S. Fraser, Royal Engineers 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Maj. J. S. Fraser, 28 Woodmill Terr., Dunfermline, Fife’; Army Emergency Reserve Decoration, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ‘1961’, with 1 Additional Award Bar, also dated ‘1961’, in Royal Mint case of issue; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal,
G.VI.R., 1st issue, with 1 Long Service Bar dated ‘1958’, in named card box of issue; together with the recipient’s King’s Badge for Loyal Service; Regular Army Reserve of Officers silver lapel badge, with named War Department enclosure; riband bar; and silver identity tag, nearly extremely fine (lot)
£1,400-£1,800
M.C. London Gazette 17 October 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘On 20th June 1941, the carrier platoon of an Infantry Regiment supported by guns over open sights were ordered to make a frontal attack on Mezze in an endeavour to make a quick break through and so effect the rescue of a number of the Ind. Bde. who were known to be still holding out in the town. There was no Officer of the Infantry Regiment available to lead the carriers in this attack which had to be made over open country under very heavy machine gun and anti tank gun fire from guns sited both in the village and in tanks. Lieut. Fraser though he had never before been in a carrier and had to take on the job at very short notice, led the platoon with great skill, gallantry and dash. Though the attack was unsuccessful his courage and leadership was a great inspiration to all. His carrier was hit and he himself was wounded.’
Colin Campbell Fraser was born on 20 May 1913, the son of John Fraser, an architect from Dunfermline, and the younger brother of Major John Strachan Fraser, Royal Engineers. He commenced the diploma course at Edinburgh College of Art in October 1936, receiving his diploma in June 1936. During this period he made visits to England to study 'Gothic Architecture and the English Village', and in July 1936 he travelled to France to study housing development and civic design. He was admitted ARIBA on 9 February 1937, his proposers being James Macgregor, John Begg and Frank Charles Mears, and his declaration accepting his admittance was witnessed by fellow architect Frederick Alistair Morrison. Fraser was also an Associate of the Edinburgh Institute of Architects, and his address in the middle and later 1930s was 24 Woodmill Road, Dunfermline. There is a collection of Fraser’s student work in the NMRS RIAS Collection.
Fraser was commissioned in the Royal Engineers early in the war and attached to the Indian Army. He was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on 20 June 1941, during an attempt to relieve elements of the 5th Indian Brigade besieged by Vichy French troops at Mezze, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. At this time he was serving as a Lieutenant, attached to the 18th Field Company, Royal Bengal Sappers and Miners. Fraser was wounded during this action and was wounded in action a second time in August 1944, whilst serving in Italy. However his wounds were very severe and he died in a military hospital there on 14 August 1944.
Sold with a letter of congratulation for award of M.C., signed by General Wavell, dated Simla 21 October 1941, in envelope sent to recipient in hospital, Palestine; copy of citation for the M.C.; a War Office letter to Fraser’s Mother requesting her attendance at Buckingham Palace to receive her son’s M.C. by the hand of the King; and a photographic image of the recipient
John Strachan Fraser was born on 14 March 1908, in Stirling, the son of John Fraser, architect of Dunfermline and older brother of Major Colin Campbell Fraser. Between 1925 and 1928 he attended classes at the School of Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art, before starting his working life with at Dick Peddie and Walker Todd. Whilst working, he continued his studies and was admitted Associate of ARIBA in 1931. On 21 March 1936, he was Commissioned Second Lieutenant in The Royal Engineers (Reserve of Officers) and was called to duty at the outbreak of the Second War. His wartime service is largely unknown; however, it is known he was invalided at some point and received the King’s Badge. In 1949, he was promoted Captain in Reserve of Officers and relinquished his Commission in 1963, retaining the honorary rank of Major. He died in Dunfermline on 24 March 1990.
Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.
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