Joseph Fraser, Pte in the Gordon Highlanders
Item
Title
Joseph Fraser, Pte in the Gordon Highlanders
Who?
Joseph (Jo) Fraser. Private, Gordon Highlanders.
Item(s)
1. Photograph of 2 soldiers. Joseph Fraser is on the right as you face the picture. The other soldier is unknown. On the back of the photo is has “With Best Wishes from Jo”, then someone has written “Private Jo Fraser 1st Gordons 88 Victoria Rd (Prisoner). 1 image.
2. Photograph of prisoners of war. There is nothing on the back to identify where the picture was taken or who is on it. 1 image.
3. A group of soldiers in formal uniform. Jo Fraser is at the end on the right. 1 image.
4. A group of soldiers. Jo Fraser is at the end on the right. 2 images.
5. Letter dated April 18th 1916 to Joe (Joseph Fraser) from Gracie Mair. Note about two treasures relating to Billy. 2 images.
6. Certificate of Discharge for Joseph Fraser. 2 images.
8. Third Class Certificate of Education awarded to Joseph Fraser, dated 19th November 1912. 2 images.
9. Note about an appointment in Aberdeen addressed to Joseph Fraser. 2 images.
10. Letter dated 15 December 1918 to Joseph Fraser. 1 image.
11. Medals awarded to Joseph Fraser: Victory Medal on left and 1914 Star in the centre, On the right is his Gordon Highlanders cap badge. There is Second World War medal on upper right. 1 image.
2. Photograph of prisoners of war. There is nothing on the back to identify where the picture was taken or who is on it. 1 image.
3. A group of soldiers in formal uniform. Jo Fraser is at the end on the right. 1 image.
4. A group of soldiers. Jo Fraser is at the end on the right. 2 images.
5. Letter dated April 18th 1916 to Joe (Joseph Fraser) from Gracie Mair. Note about two treasures relating to Billy. 2 images.
6. Certificate of Discharge for Joseph Fraser. 2 images.
8. Third Class Certificate of Education awarded to Joseph Fraser, dated 19th November 1912. 2 images.
9. Note about an appointment in Aberdeen addressed to Joseph Fraser. 2 images.
10. Letter dated 15 December 1918 to Joseph Fraser. 1 image.
11. Medals awarded to Joseph Fraser: Victory Medal on left and 1914 Star in the centre, On the right is his Gordon Highlanders cap badge. There is Second World War medal on upper right. 1 image.
Story
Joseph Fraser was my grandfather. He was born in 1895. He belonged to the Gordon Highlanders with regimental number 1025. He joined in 1912 before the war actually broke out, enlisting on 29 July 1912 at Aberdeen. He entered the theatre of war on 13/08/1914, according to his medal card. He developed a tumour in the brain due to the treatment he received in the trenches during the war and later died because of this in the 1930’s.
The Aberdeen Evening Express in the issue of 27 October 1914 has, under the heading Aberdeen and North Men Prisoners of War, Private Joseph Fraser, son of James Fraser, 88 Victoria Road. He was probably captured on the Western Front in France. He often tried to escape.
He was discharged in 1919 as he was no longer fit for War Service. His discharge papers show that he enlisted on 29th July 1912 at Aberdeen and was discharged on 29 – 3 – 19. It also indicates that he had been awarded the 1914 Star with one red and four blue chevrons. The red one is for service in 1914 and the blue ones for 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918. He was also awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medals.
In the picture of medals there is a Second World War medal in the top righthand corner, This probably belonged to my Mother’s uncle Harry Esson.
The Aberdeen Evening Express in the issue of 27 October 1914 has, under the heading Aberdeen and North Men Prisoners of War, Private Joseph Fraser, son of James Fraser, 88 Victoria Road. He was probably captured on the Western Front in France. He often tried to escape.
He was discharged in 1919 as he was no longer fit for War Service. His discharge papers show that he enlisted on 29th July 1912 at Aberdeen and was discharged on 29 – 3 – 19. It also indicates that he had been awarded the 1914 Star with one red and four blue chevrons. The red one is for service in 1914 and the blue ones for 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918. He was also awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medals.
In the picture of medals there is a Second World War medal in the top righthand corner, This probably belonged to my Mother’s uncle Harry Esson.
When?
1914 - 1919.
Where?
Aberdeen, Scotland.
Contributor
Sheila Kinnaird
Collection Day
23/02/2019, Mackie Academy, Stonehaven.
This item was submitted on May 21, 2019