George Henry Fraser

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

George Henry Fraser
Bornc. 1880
First World War
Other workRolls-Royce Ltd

George Henry Fraser (c. 1880 – 9 December 1919) was a navigator and aircraft mechanic who flew with pilot

England to Australia air race in December 1919. Howell and Fraser's aircraft made a forced landing in the St George's Bay, Corfu; both men are presumed to have drowned as a result, although only Howell's body was ever recovered
.

Personal life

Fraser's exact date of birth is not given in the sources available, but he is variously stated to have been either 39 or 40 years old at the time of his death.

Sydney, Australia, where he was residing at the time of his enlistment.[2] Fraser was unmarried at the time he enlisted and at the date of his death.[1][2]

Military service

Fraser enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force on 12 March 1917 and was assigned, as an air mechanic, 2nd class, to the Fifth Training Squadron, Australian Flying Corps.[1] He subsequently served in England with the Fifth Training Squadron and the No 1 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping, Royal Air Force, gaining much experience of the maintenance and operation of bomber aircraft and of aerial navigation.[2]

Post-war

For the six months before he started with Howell on the race to Australia, Fraser had been employed by Rolls-Royce Ltd, during which time he had become familiar with engines of the type fitted in the plane in which he was to compete.[2]

Final flight

Main article: Cedric Howell § England-to-Australia flight and legacy

In August 1919 the British aircraft manufacturer

telegram received by William Fraser, that his brother had been rescued and had arrived safely in Athens.[3] Although the circumstances of the accident are not clear, it appears that both were alive and survived in the water but that they subsequently drowned. Only Howell's body was ever recovered. It was subsequently claimed that Howell drowned while attempting to tow Fraser to shore, since the mechanic was unable to swim.[4]

Memorials

Fraser's name is included in the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, England[1][5] and he is commemorated on a family headstone in White Hills Cemetery, White Hills, Victoria.[1] His name is also included in the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.[6]

See also

  • List of people who disappeared at sea

Notes

Footnotes
  1. Wikipedia Manual of Style
    , the 9 December ought to be preferred, as the date and time appropriate to the place where the event occurred.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "The AIF Project: George Henry Fraser". The AIF Project. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  2. ^
    Sydney Morning Herald
    . 16 December 1919. p. 7. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  3. Sydney Morning Herald
    . 16 December 1919. p. 7. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  4. The Argus
    . 12 February 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Casualty Details: George Henry Fraser". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  6. ^ "Roll of Honour: George Henry Fraser". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Henry_Fraser&oldid=1189840854"