FRASER, Donald and Alexander

Donald and Alexander were the sons of Alexander and Jane Fraser of Lagoon Flat, Bonshaw NSW.  Their births were registered in Queensland and both boys attended Lagoon Flat State School at Texas.  Alexander, an eighteen year old farmer, enlisted at Liverpool NSW in June 1915 and became a member of the 1st Battalion 8th Reinforcements. Tragically, only nineteen days later he died of pneumonia and meningitis at the Garrison Hospital, Victoria Barracks.

Donald enlisted at Inverell in January 1916.  He was a twenty two year old Carrier at Bonshaw when he joined the men of the Second Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell together on 29 February.  He became a member of B Company Depot Battalion at Armidale and then transferred to 36th Battalion 1st Reinforcements.  They trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to leaving Australia for England on 13 May.  After arriving in England, further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain.  Donald was transferred to the 9th Training Battalion before being sent to France in September to join the 56th Battalion and attending a Lewis Gun School of Instruction. Just before Christmas he was admitted to hospital with influenza but was well enough to rejoin his unit by the end of December.

Private Donald Fraser was killed in action on 3 February 1917 at the Somme, France, and buried in the AIF Burial Ground, Grass Lane, Flers, France. His mother received his medals and few personal effects which included wallet, notebook, letters and photos.

The names of both Donald and his brother Alexander are inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph. Memorial trees were planted for them in Kurrajong Parade in 1919. At Bonshaw their names are recorded on the local Honor Roll.