Alexander Fraser was born in Kildonan, Sutherland, in 1890. In 1901 the Fraser family were living at the Station House, Blair Atholl, Perthshire: Father, Donald (Station Master) (40); Mother, Jane (41); Daughter, Jemima (13); Son, Alexander (11); Daughter, Henna S. (9); Son, John (7); Son, George D. (6); Son, Thomas M. (4); and Daughter, Jeannie A. (2).

The Battle of Loos, 25th September - 14th October 1915

The Battle of Loos was the largest British battle that took place in 1915 on the Western Front. It was the first time the British used poison gas, and the first mass engagement of the New Army units.

Extract from Wauchope’s 'History of the Black Watch in the Great War'

“HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT, OCTOBER 1915"

“It was only on the morning of the 14th that the events of the attack were known and the situation understood. On the left the battalions of the 46th Division had taken about half of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, though with very heavy losses; but the 1st Division, suffering almost equal losses, had hardly made any headway."

"The Black Watch, throughout the afternoon and evening, had made one attempt after another to penetrate the belts of wire; they had never been able to close with the enemy, but the list of casualties reveals the courage of their efforts, in the face of unlocated bombing saps and machine guns."

"Six officers, Second Lieutenants Paton, A. Fraser, Ballantyne, Hutchison, Hayes and Mercer, and 33 other ranks had been killed; Lieutenant Merrylees, Second Lieutenants Home, Lamb and Young, and 163 other ranks had been wounded, and 33 other ranks were missing.”

Perthshire Advertiser, 27th October 1915

“Official intimation has been received that Second Lieutenant Alex. Fraser, Black Watch, has been killed in action on the 13th inst. Lieutenant Fraser, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs D. Fraser, Station House, Blair Atholl was in his 27th year, and prior to the outbreak of war had a responsible position at the Board of Agriculture."

"He received his early education in Blair Atholl and after securing the county bursary of £15 in open competition attended the Perth Academy for three years."

"Choosing Government work as his profession, he attended special classes at Dundee, and soon was successful in gaining a Second Division clerkship. Mr Fraser spent a year or two in Dublin, and there joined the Irish section of the 6th Black Watch (Territorials)."

"He was given a commission in the 1st Battalion. Of a gentle and most lovable disposition Mr Fraser was a general favourite, and much sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs Fraser in their loss. Mr Fraser has other two sons in the fighting line.”

Alexander Fraser is also commemorated on the Board of Agriculture Roll of Honour in St. Andrew’s House, Edinburgh; and the Blair Atholl Parish War Memorial.