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portsoy memorial missing canadian

 
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gary thomson



Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 2
Location: DUNDEE

PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:52 pm    Post subject: portsoy memorial missing canadian Reply with quote

as part of my research of a relative of mine who emigrated to canada and then enlisted with the princess patricia canadian light infantry at the outbreak of ww1 and then k.i.a 4/5/15 at the battle of bellewaerde ridge,i cam across a man who according to his attestation papers was born in portsoy before emigrating to canada and enlisting in the p.p.c.l.i himself being k.i.a.8/5/15 at bellewaerde.
i have checked the portsoy war memorial and cannot see his name on it.
could anyone tell me why his name would not be on this memorial ?
is there any way of applying to have his name added to this memorial,as he has ,like my relative no known grave and is only listed in the menin gate memorial in ypres.
this is his entry in a book i own written by stephen s newman entitled "WITH THE PATRICIAS HOLDING THE LINE".

FRASER, ALEXANDER GORDON, REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR No 3. born in portsoy, scotland april 1876. served in the queens own cameron highlanders for 14 years.employed as a clerk before enlisting in the PPCLI 21 aug 1914. arrived in england with the first canadian contingent oct 1914.promoted to warrant officer 15 oct 1914. crossed to france with the regiment 20 dec 1914.hospitalized sick 26 dec 1914.rejoined the unit before it went into the line for the first time. general action 2nd battle of ypres.general action battle of frezenberg. killed in action 8 may 1915. he was shot in the head while passing out ammunition during the desperate struggle on bellewaerde ridge. delirious, he was pulled off the parapet while waving the regimental colour, taunting the enemy and encouraging the men. he eventually succumbed to his head wound that day.age 39.

thank you .gary.
_________________
REMBERING L/CPL WILLIAM HARVEY 51190 PRINCESS PATRICIAS CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY KIA 4/5/15 AND PRIVATE ANDREW HOOD 22440 ROYAL SCOTS KIA 26/9/17.


Last edited by gary thomson on Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
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anne park
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Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 21200
Location: Aberdeen

PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:10 pm    Post subject: Names on memorials Reply with quote

My Great-grandparents paid to have their son's details on the Banchory memorial. Some have details on several memorials and some on no memorial. Anne
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DerekR
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Location: Hawick, Scotland

PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gary,

Possibly there was no family connection left in Portsoy to put Alex's name forward?
In the case of my home town, a librarian was employed to collate the names of the fallen but he could only do so if names were nominated.
And in the case of Selkirk, the authorities there found that even though they knew of men who had served, some families opposed the names of their relatives being put forward.
War Memorials are a tangled web.
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.
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DerekR
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Location: Hawick, Scotland

PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gary, have you seen:

http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/searches/soldierDetail.asp?ID=55659
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.
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Roxy
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Location: Elgin, Moray

PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gary,

I noted that Alex served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. The museum at Fort George holds copies of the regimental magazine - The 79th News. It is a very good document listing the Battalions' Orderly Room notices (amongst other things); consequently it lists enlistments, promotions, the award of certificates of education etc as well as the results of competitions for rugby, football, tug-of-war and bayonet and sword fighting. The chances are that Alex will be mentioned. The museum is also worth a look!

Roxy
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Remembering my ggf, Pte Thomas Roberts, 10 SR, killed 25 Sep 15 at Loos.
Also remembering Flt Lt Al Squires and CXX/3 killed 2 Sep 06 in Afghanistan.
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kinnethmont



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 1649
Location: Aberdeenshire

PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:08 pm    Post subject: RSM Alexander Fraser PPCLI, C.E.F. Reply with quote

Gary

There is something odd about Fraser's details , maybe his origins or age have a bearing on things.

There was no Alexr Fraser born at Portsoy in 1876. Of those born in Banffshire between 1870 & 1880 none fits his details in Portsoy or Fordyce.
No Alexander to suit found in the 1881 Census. It may be he believed he was born there or had another name.

The date of birth he gives would make him 38 on attesting in 1914, yet his age is given as 40. He would have been 39 when he died but CWGC has his age as 40 in 1915. Many men of his age declared themselves to be younger when they volunteered at the outbreak of war.

If you look at the Attestation Form the number six is unusual, it could be, and probably is a badly written one.

Fraser enlists at the outbreak of war as many ex Regulars did and at his death a year later is an RSM. He would need to have a similar rank in his previous service to achieve this in the time. He states he served 14 years with the QOCH.

There is a service record for an Alexander Fraser, born Portsoy who enlisted in the QOCH in Nov 1889 and signed up for 12 years (7+5). He gives his age as 18 years 7 months. This makes him born April 1871.
His NOK is given as Isabella Fraser, mother, Back St, Keith, Bf.

He was posted to the 1st Battn QOCH on 14th Feb 1890 and was at HOME until 1892.
In the 1891 Census one Alexander Fraser born Portsoy c 1871 is found. He is a Private in the QOCH, age 20 at Edinburgh Castle.

He saw service in Egypt, Malta, Gibralter, Cape Colony and his campaigns included the Nile Expedition and the South African War. He extended his service and rose through the ranks. He was promoted Colour Sgt in 1898 and soon after re-engaged to complete 21 years service.
At his request he was discharged after 14 years 129 days service in 1904.

RSM Fraser of PPCLI fits with all of three above and I am fairly certain he is the same man, but move evidence is required to be 100% certain.

This man has no links to Portsoy, save for being born there. Simply being born there 44 years earlier is no reason for him to be on a particular memorial. It depends on the criteria used by the War Memorial Committee at the time. The text at Portsoy states "..the men from this town....".
He is neither recorded at Keith nor Newmill.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk
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