Rowland Fraser was born on 10 January 1890 in Perth, Scotland. He was educated at Perth Academy, Merchiston Preparatory and Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, and went up to Pembroke College, Cambridge, in 1908.

He played rugby at university, notably in the renowned Varsity matches on three occasions, including one as team captain in 1910. He also played at regional level with the Whites Trial team and earned his first cap on 2 January 1911 in a match between Scotland and France but lost all his matches in the Five Nations Championship. Rowland was known as a hardworking forward, a good dribbler, and an excellent tackler.

When the First World War broke out, Rowland enlisted in the Rifle Brigade on 15 August 1914. He arrived in France on 4 January 1915 and took part in the battles of Loos and Artois. Rowland was promoted to Lieutenant in August and to Captain in December thanks to his courage and leadership skills.

In June 1916, Rowland returned to Scotland on four days leave and married May Dorothy Ross.

Back on the battlefield, Rowland was killed in action ten days later, during the Battle of the Somme. As he led his men forward on 1 July 1916, he was hit by German machine-gun fire. Taken to safety in a shell hole by his men, he was then hit by shrapnel.

Strathearn Herald, 15th July 1916 “PERTH OFFICER’S DEATH-CAPT. ROWLAND FRASER, INVERMAY
It was with much regret that Perth people learned of the death in action of Captain Rowland Fraser, Rifle Brigade, third son of Mr John M. Fraser, of Invermay, Forteviot, head of the firm of Messrs Macdonald Fraser & Co., stock salesmen, Perth. Only a few weeks ago he obtained a short leave from the front, and was married at Invermay on 20th June to Miss Mary Dorothy, second daughter of Mr. T. H. Ross, Quirindi, New South Wales. Captain Fraser returned to France soon after, and fell in action on Sunday, the 2nd inst. Exactly twelve days after his marriage. He had a distinguished record at school, college, and university. Born at Perth about 26 years ago, he attended the Academy, and afterwards went to Merchiston College, Edinburgh and subsequently to Cambridge University. He was an M.A. of Cambridge University, and in civil life a member of the legal profession, and was in the offices of Messrs. Guild & Guild, W.S., Edinburgh. He joined the Army shortly after the outbreak of war, and had been on active service for about eighteen months. Other two brothers are also serving with the Colours. In football and cricketing circles the deceased officer was well-known. He was at one time captain of Merchiston Castle cricket eleven, and also played for the Grange and Perthshire. He was captain of the Cambridge Rugby team, and was a Scottish internationalist. His brother, Mr. W. Lovat Fraser, is captain of the Perthshire Cricket Club."