Person Page - 176

     John Fraser. A missionary.¹ He was born circa 1833. He was the son of John Fraser and Lillias Fraser.¹ John Fraser died in July 1871 near Bagdad, Iraq,

DEATH OF MR. JOHN FRASER, NEAR BAGHDAD.

Another faithful soldier of Jesus Christ has fallen at his post - the post of danger and of honour. Unconnected with any society, Mr. Fraser has, for nearly ten years, been seeking to gather in souls among the Arabic speaking races in the East. Egypt, the Holy Land, and latterly Persia, were the scenes of his labours. Mostly single-handed he has delivered his message - " a voice crying in the wilderness." The great day alone shall declare the results of this devoted missionary's testimony and work. His was a loving and gentle spirit in all his intercourse with others; only to himself was he severe and exacting.

We knew that our friend had been weakened by dysentery at Baghdad, upwards of two months ago, but a few lines from himself, published in this paper, led us to hope that he was convalescent. A rumour from Beirout reached his brothers (Rev. Donald Fraser, of London, and Rev. Wm. Fraser, of Edinburgh), last week, which re-awakened our anxieties, and these, alas for us! have all been confirmed.

Early in August the Persian Government ordered a quarantine doctor to visit one of the plague and famine-stricken regions, seven days' journey from Baghdad ; this official, it appears, invited Mr. Fraser to accompany him. Our friend, ever ready, like his Master, to relieve human misery, accepted the invitation, and started on his errand of mercy, but, we fear, in a condition quite unfitted for such exertion in such a climate. Three days' journey had been accomplished, when a message came from above -"Come up higher!" - and death by sunstroke became the entrance into rest for this solitary worker.

" Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men ! "

The Inverness Courier has the following particulars :- " Mr. John Fraser, now in his 39th year, was the fourth son of the late Provost Fraser, of Inverness, and bore his father's name. The eldest son of the family is Mr. Alexander Fraser, of Cobourg, Ontario, and a member of the Legislative Assembly of that province; the second son is the Rev. Donald Fraser, of Marylebone; and the third the Rev. William Fraser, of Edinburgh. Though very thoroughly educated for the Presbyterian ministry, John Fraser never sought ordination, and, showing strong bent toward individual freedom of action, never acted under any missionary committee. His chosen work was to serve as a pioneer, opening up new ground, and pressing forward in Christ's name into arduous fields and among neglected populations: work for which he was singularly qualified by his faith, courage, self-denial, and elevation of spirit. His labours in this country were so abundant and wide-spread that he will be deeply lamented by many in both Highlands and Lowlands. His first labours in the East were at Cairo, in Egypt, where he laid the foundation of a thorough acquaintance with the Arabic language. Thence he removed to Beirout, where he taught for some time in the Syrian Protestant College - making excursions into the region of the Lebanon, and not only preaching in villages, but reading the Greek Testament in the Maronite and Greek Catholic convents.

" In Baghdad, his last station, he laboured among Mohammedans and Jews, and cast wistful eyes towards Persia; but like Henry Martyn, whose spirit he breathed, he has died and been buried far away from his native land and kindred. But he has not lived or died in vain. He rests from his labours, and his works follow him. He is a witness, that the spirit of heroism and martyrdom is not extinct; and that, while men who love their lives lose them, a man who hates his own life, for the Lord's sake,' keeps it to life eternal !'" The Christian, 21 September 1871.^1,2

He was buried on 29 July 1871 in Shirween, Iraq.

John Fraser, youngest son of Mr. John Fraser, Provost of Inverness, was educated privately till he joined the Fifth Class at the Academy, in the session of 1845-46. Thence he proceeded to King's College and University, Aberdeen; and there graduated with honours as M.A. in 1850. He then took a full course of theological study in connection with the Free Church of Scotland. But on the eve of receiving licence as a preacher ' zeal for the evangelisation of the world made him shrink from official connection with any one branch of the Christian Church.' He became therefore an Evangelist at large. He acquired the power of speaking the Gaelic, Welsh, French, Italian, German, Arabic, and Persian languages.

After having had much success in his labours, chiefly in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, he worked for some time in Egypt. Thence Fraser went to Beyrout, where he taught Mathematics and Astronomy in the Armenian College; improving his knowledge of Arabic, and preaching in the villages of Lebanon. Fraser then crossed from Aleppo to Baghdad. There, and in the regions round about, he preached and distributed Bibles, etc. After a serious illness, he rode with a Medical Inspector to the borders of Persia, in which country he hoped to find an opening for Mission work, but he was struck down by the sun, and lived only half an hour, and was buried at Shirween, on 29th July 1871.

John Fraser is described as an 'intense student of the Bible in the original languages;' and there are not wanting evidences of the good that he was instrumental in doing during his short but scattered life - scattered but not wasted.

We are indebted for these details to Fraser's brother, the Rev. William Fraser, minister of the Presbyterian Church of England, Brighton. The Rev. Donald Fraser, D.D., Presbyterian Church of England, Marylebone, is an elder brother.

Very recently certain Christian workers in Cairo, Jerusalem, and Beyrout have spoken in warm and grateful terms of Fraser's usefulness; and a handsome Arabic Hymnal, with music, lately published at Beyrout, has been characterised as ' a fruit of his enthusiastic and practical stimulus to hallowed song' in Syria.

Some of those who knew and loved John Fraser have, it is understood, offered to contribute, and collect facts if one of his brothers would undertake to write his 'Life;' but they have thought they were best fulfilling his wishes by continuing to leave him - like his tomb on the border of Persia - without an inscription.

The last appearance of John Fraser at the Cumming Club was in January 1854. Chronicles of the Cumming club and memories of old academy days 1841-1846, compiled by Alexander Fraser, p. 164.

     John Edward Fraser was born in 1855 in Ontario.^1,2 He was the son of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹ John Edward Fraser married Anna Sexton circa 1880.¹

     Flight Lieut. John Ruthven Fraser's birth was registered in the quarter ending December 1906 in the St. Marylebone, London registration district.⁴ He was the son of Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser K.C.B., C.S.I., C.M.G. and Constance Ruth Stevenson.³ On 30 May 1938 he was posted to R.A.F. Station, Debden. Flight Lieut. John Ruthven Fraser died on 17 October 1938 in Debden, Saffron Walden, at the age of 31.²

     Jonathan Bruce Theodore Fraser was born on 23 May 1943 at 27 Welbeck Street, London.² He was the son of Sir Bruce Donald Fraser K.C.B. and Audrey Croslegh.¹ Jonathan Bruce Theodore Fraser died in 1964. He was buried on 16 October 1964 in Brompton, London.³

      He was a Paediatric surgeon. Brigadier Sir Kenneth Barron Fraser C.B.E. was born on 28 March 1897 in Hughenden, Queensland.² He was the son of Hugh Barron Fraser and Clara Emma Jones.^1,2 Brigadier Sir Kenneth Barron Fraser C.B.E. married Edith Mary Patricia Lloyd Hart, daughter of Percy Lloyd Hart and Margaret Beatrice Crombie, on 17 July 1929 in St. John's Cathedral, Brisbane, Queensland.^3,1 Brigadier Sir Kenneth Barron Fraser C.B.E. was living in 592 Lutwyche Road, Brisbane. He died on 24 June 1969 in Clayfield at the age of 72.²

     Lilias Gordon (Queenie) Fraser was born on 21 February 1897 in Queensland.^4,3 She was the daughter of Alfred William Fraser and Clara Phillips.^1,3 Lilias Gordon (Queenie) Fraser married Ernest Douglas Adams, son of Walter Day Adams and Alice Maria Elizabeth (?) Watts, on 14 February 1922 in St. Philip's, Kensington.⁵ Lilias Gordon (Queenie) Fraser and Ernest Douglas Adams were living at Crossways, Bloxham, Oxfordshire, in 1947 when they celebrated their silver wedding.⁵ Lilias Gordon (Queenie) Fraser died on 20 June 1987 in Shepway, Kent, at the age of 90.⁶

      Of Kirkill, Inverness. Lillias Fraser was born in 1803.¹ She was the daughter of Rev. Donald Fraser M.A. and Jane Gordon.^1,2 Lillias Fraser married John Fraser, son of Alexander Fraser and Annabella Munro. Lillias Fraser died on 19 February 1835 in Inverness

     Lillias Isabella Fraser was born on 5 April 1869. She was the daughter of Rev. Donald Fraser D.D. and Theresa Eliza Isabella Gordon. Lillias Isabella Fraser died on 4 May 1869 Inverness Chapel Yard #1827 (Panel). Two sisters asleep in Jesus, Helen Millicent Fraser, died 10th January 1866, aged 4 years; Lillias Isabella Fraser, died 4th May 1869, aged 4 weeks. Daughters of R.

     Lily Gordon Fraser was born on 26 August 1860 probably in Gourock.¹ She was the daughter of Rev. William Fraser and Margaret Cuningham Playfair.¹ Lily Gordon Fraser died on 2 January 1880 at the age of 19.

     Madeline Follett Fraser was born in 1869 in Cobourg.^1,2 She was the daughter of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹ Madeline Follett Fraser married James E. Durand, son of Charles Durand, on 28 September 1895 in Cobourg.^2,1

     Margaret Fraser was the daughter of John Fraser. Margaret Fraser married Sir William Keith.

     Margaret Evangeline Fraser was born on 29 February 1864 probably in Edinburgh.² She was the daughter of Rev. William Fraser and Margaret Cuningham Playfair.¹ Margaret Evangeline Fraser married John Robert Roxburgh on 13 March 1889 in Marylebone Presbyterian Church, London, the marriage was performed by the Rev. Donald Fraser, uncle of the bride, assisted by the Rev. J. Munro Gibson, D.D.³

     Marjorie Fraser was born circa 1902 in Michigan.² She was the daughter of Frederick Laing Fraser and Bessie F. Beatty.¹

     Mary Fraser was the daughter of Rev. Donald Fraser M.A. and Jane Gordon.¹ Mary Fraser married Rev. John Grant on 26 March 1840 in The Manse, Kirkhill.¹

     Mary Lillias Fraser was born in September 1851 in Cobourg, Ontario.^2,3,4 She was the daughter of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹ Mary Lillias Fraser married Robert Napier Mathieson, son of Rev. Alexander Mathieson D.D. and Catherine Elizabeth McKenzie, on 27 May 1876 in Cobourg, Ontario.³ Mary Lillias Fraser and Robert Napier Mathieson appear on the census of 1910 at Pittsburgh where Robert is listed as a commercial writer on a newspaper.⁵

     Millicent Fraser was the daughter of Rev. Donald Fraser M.A. and Jane Gordon.¹ Millicent Fraser died on 25 December 1849 in Kirkhill Free Manse.¹

     Peter Gordon Fraser was born on 23 February 1913 in Fareham, Hampshire.² He was the son of Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser K.C.B., C.S.I., C.M.G. and Constance Ruth Stevenson.¹ Peter's death was registered in the quarter ending May 1992 in the Surrey registration district.²

     Selina Elizabeth Fraser was born on 2 April 1853 in Ontario.^1,2 She was the daughter of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹ Selina Elizabeth Fraser married Henry F. Holland.¹

     Selina Torrance Fraser was born on 4 June 1870 probably in Edinburgh.¹ She was the daughter of Rev. William Fraser and Margaret Cuningham Playfair.²

     Stuart Alexander Fraser was born on 24 February 1872 in Cobourg, Ontario.¹ He was the son of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹

     Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser K.C.B., C.S.I., C.M.G. was born on 15 June 1865 in Inverness, Scotland.^2,3 He was the son of Rev. Donald Fraser D.D. and Theresa Eliza Isabella Gordon.¹ Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser K.C.B., C.S.I., C.M.G. appears on the census of 4 April 1881 at 3 Cambridge Square, London.² He married Constance Ruth Stevenson, daughter of Nathaniel Stevenson and Alice Evelyn Harcourt, on 6 June 1903 in Marylebone Parish Church, London.⁴ In 1939, the address of Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser K.C.B., C.S.I., C.M.G. was The Rookery, Roehampton Lane, London.⁵ He died on 22 May 1953 in Putney, London, at the age of 87 "FRASER. - On May 22, 1953, at a nursing home in Putney, Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser, K.C.B., C.S.I., C.M.G., in his 88th year. Funeral, Putney Vale Crematorium, 2.30 p.m., Tuesday, May 26. No flowers, by request". Notice in Telegraph 23 May 1953.¹

"Major-General Sir Theodore Fraser, C.B., C.S.I. C.M.G., who died yesterday at the age of 87, was a Royal Engineer officer who served for most of his career with the Indian Army. His inclination was for staff work, and he held a succession of staff appointments both before and during the 1914-18 war, when he saw service in France and in Mesopotamia.

The son of the Rev. Donald Fraser, D.D., of Inverness and Marylebone, he was born on June 15, 1865, his mother being the fourth daughter of Major-General Alexander Gordon, R.E. From University College School he went to Clare College, Cambridge, obtaining his commission direct into the Royal Engineers in February, 1886.

Indian service soon brought him experience of frontier warfare. He was in the Chin-Lushai expedition of 1889-90 and the Hazara expedition, 1891. He got his captaincy in August, 1896, and during the Tirah campaign of 1897-98 he was adjutant R.E. 2nd Division. He had some experience of the South African War as a special service officer, from February to December, 1900, being employed in Cape Colony, the Orange Free State, and the Western Transvaal, where he was at the action of Frederickstad in October.

In 1901 he passed into the Staff College, but after graduating it was some time before he secured staff employment. He was promoted major in his corps in September, 1904, and appointed D.A.A.G. Bombay Brigade in February, 1905, passing to the headquarters of the Army in November, 1907, to become a D.A.Q.M.G. there. He left Simla in February, 1909, and at the beginning of 1910, was selected to be an instructor at the Indian Staff College. Here he remained three years, being promoted lieutenant-colonel in December, 1912. After leaving Quetta he came home and passed through a course at the Naval War College.

Eager for active service on the outbreak of the war, he had first to be content with the post of Embarkation Commandant. It was not until March, 1915, that he was appointed A.A. & Q.M.G. on the staff of the Lahore Division, then in France. In this capacity, and later as A.Q.M.G., he was with the division at "Second Ypres," and the battles of Aubers Ridge and Festubert, and accompanied it to Mesopotamia at the end of the year.

In May, 1916, Colonel Fraser was appointed G.S.O.1 on the staff of the newly formed 15th (Indian) Division, which remained on the Euphrates front, until, in October, he was transferred to the III Corps as Brigadier-General General Staff. With the corps he saw the Battle of Kut and the advance to and occupation of Baghdad, and then the operations on the Adhaim in April, 1917. He had received a brevet in March, and reached the substantive rank of colonel in December, by which time the operations in the Jabal Hamrin area had been concluded. From February to April, 1918, he acted as Chief of the General Staff to General Marshall, the Commander-in-Chief.

He succeeded to the command of the 15th Division in September, 1918, and in the following March took over the 18th Division, being promoted major-general in June. He was engaged in the Kurdistan operations of 1919-20, and relinquished command in October, 1921, From March to November, 1922, he commanded the forces in Iraq, but was not again employed until May 1924, when he was appointed to the Malaya command. Three years later he retired from the Army on an Indian pension."

Obituary in the Daily Telegraph 23 May 1953.

     Theresa Gordon Fraser was born on 23 December 1858 in Montreal, Canada.² She was the daughter of Rev. Donald Fraser D.D. and Theresa Eliza Isabella Gordon.¹ Theresa Gordon Fraser was baptised on 17 February 1859 at Coté St. Presbyterian Church, Montreal. She appears on the census of 4 April 1881 at 3 Cambridge Square, London.³ She married John Fullarton Beatson, son of Maj. Gen. Roger Stewart Beatson R.E. and Elizabeth Mary Ann Wood, on 29 October 1888 in St. Andrew's Church, Madras, India, in the notice of the marriage the groom is described as being of Mandalay, Burma and Geasmont, Helensburgh. The Times of India notes that he is ofthe Irrawaddy Flotilla Co. Ltd. of Mandalay.^4,5 Theresa Gordon Fraser died on 6 November 1932 at 13, Magdalen Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, at the age of 73 funeral service, Thursday 10 November 1932, St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, St. Leonards, 10 a.m. Interment took place at the City of Westminster Cemetery, Hanwell, London W.7.⁶

     Theresa Gordon Fraser was born in 1859 in Ontario.^1,2 She was the daughter of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹ Theresa Gordon Fraser died on 5 May 1884 in Cobourg.¹

     Rev. William Fraser was born in 1828.¹ He was the son of John Fraser.¹ Rev. William Fraser married Margaret Cuningham Playfair, daughter of James Playfair and Jane Speirs, on 21 April 1857 at 4 Queen's Crescent, Glasgow.² Mr. Fraser was ordained to the Free Church, Gourock, in 1850. From thence he was, in 1863, translated to Free St. Bernard's, Edinburgh; and, in 1880, to the Queen's Road Presbyterian Church, Brighton.³ Rev. William Fraser appears on the census of 4 April 1881 at 3 Cambridge Square, London, described on the census as "brother" presumably of Donald. He is also listed as a Presbyterian Minister.¹ He died on 18 September 1887 in Brighton, Sussex. "A sad sensation was caused in the Presbyterian Church, Brighton, on Sunday morning, owing to the death of the pastor, the Rev. William Fraser, who fell dead while preaching. The rev. gentleman was delivering one of a course of sermons to soldiers, and had been speaking about twenty-five minutes, when he was seen to lean his hand upon the Bible and immediately afterwards fall in the pulpit. Several medical gentlemen In the church at once went to him, but he never recovered consciousness, and died in two minutes from heart disease. The deceased, who was sixty-one years of age, was brother of the Rev. Donald Fraser. His wife was in church at the time of the occurrence."⁴

     William I. Fraser was born in 1858 in Ontario.^1,2 He was the son of Alexander Fraser and Mary Mead Torrance.¹ William I. Fraser married Daisy Doane circa 1883.¹

     Cecily Fraunceys married Thomas Charlton (alias Knightley), son of William de Knightly and Anna de Charlton.²

     Arthur B. Freeman was born in 1856.¹ He married Mary K. Baker, daughter of Martin Baker and Charlotte Wood.¹ Arthur B. Freeman died in 1894.¹

     Fidelia Freeman was born on 27 July 1799 in Blackstone, Massachusetts.¹ She married George W. Eddy circa 1 September 1821.¹ Fidelia Freeman died on 14 April 1888 in Chicago at the age of 88.¹