Ackrills 1915/105

Sgt Douglas Fraser, 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, killed in action on September 25th at Loos during the big advance on the Western front.

Claro Times - 15th October 1915

News was received in Harrogate yesterday that Sergeant Douglas Fraser, of the 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, has been killed in action at Loos.

Sergeant Fraser was one of the most promising young men in the YMCA movement in Harrogate, and accompanied the YMCA tent in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Territorial encampments.

He was with the tent at Llandudno when war broke out, and proceeded to join the Cameron Highlanders. He quickly gained promotion and became both Swedish drill and bayonet instructor in his battalion.

Sergeant Fraser, who was only 23 years old, was with his father in business as a tailor in Parliament Street, but he had several hobbies. He passed his examination for accountancy when twenty years old. He was also a well known elocutionist, and appeared in public with the Prattlers, a ???eat charity troupe of entertainers.

Sergeant Fraser was also an all-round athlete, and took a leading part in YMCA athletics in the town.

He was killed on his mother's birthday, and on that same day a letter arrived from him wishing her many happy returns of the day.

Harrogate Herald - 3rd January 1917

Roll of Honour

The sad news was received on Friday last that Robert Fraser, aged 20 years, second son of Mr R Fraser, tailor, of Glebe Road and Parliament Street, Harrogate, was killed in action on December 20th. He belonged to the machine gun section, late Cameron Highlanders. The information is all the more pathetic as it is just over a year since his brother, Douglas Fraser, was killed.

Harrogate Herald – 3rd January 1917

Wednesday Gossip

The death in action of young Fraser, the only remaining son of Mr Fraser, tailor, Parliament Street, has come as a great shock to all Harrogate. it is not long since the other brother fell in the defence of his country. This latest sad news is the outstanding pathetic theme on all Harrogate tongues, and all hearts are full of sympathy for the bereaved parents and family.

Harrogate herald - 24th January 1917

Letters

W Broadbank says : 

I very much regret to see poor young Fraser has been killed. I am in the same regiment as he was, but never came across him. I knew both his brother Doug, and him in civil life. Will you, through your paper, express my deepest sympathy to his parents? We are having some nippy weather out here, but still it is not so bad but than we can keep ourselves warm, what with comforts and other things. I think the Germans are about spent out, as the prisoners look physical wrecks and are very hungry when they come in. We just keep smiling and keep a big heart, as we know that there is only one team in it now. I think this is all at present. Again thanking you for the paper.

SDGW

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

7th Battalion

Sergeant Douglas Fraser (S/13144)

Born : Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Enlisted : Berwick-on-Tweed

Residence : Harrogate

Died : 25th September 1915

Killed in Action

France & Flanders

CWGC

In Memory of DOUGLAS FRASER Sergeant S/13144 7th Bn., Cameron Highlanderswho died on Saturday, 25th September 1915.

Commemorative Information

Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 119 to 124