Private 12243 Cecil James Fraser

Killed in Action on Monday, 10th July 1916, age 22.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 7 B of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

8th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 51st Brigade of 17th Division.
Formerly 12243 7th Bn. South Staffs Regiment.

Son of the late Mr William Fraser, and Mrs Charlotte Fraser, of 123 Ford Street, Wolverhampton.
Born: Southampton, Enlisted: Wednesbury, Resident: Tipton.

First landed Balkans, 6th October 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/750035/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Cecil James Fraser registered March quarter 1894 in South Stoneham (Hampshire). Mother's maiden name was McKenzie. Cecil was born on 1st January 1894, at Oak Road, Woolston, Southampton. His father, William, was described as Assistant Superintendant for The Prudential Assurance Company; William died in 1900 in Wolverhampton.

In 1901 Cecil was not present in his mother's address in Wolverhampton; he was found as resident in an Orphanage in Essex. This initially seemed unlikley, but School Admission records (see Personal detail below) prove this to be true..

1901 Census
73 Newhampton Road West, Wolverhampton, Staffs.
Charlotte Fraser (44, Widow, Stocking Knitting Machine Operator, born Kinver), and her 5 children: Alexandra (16, Contractor's Clerk, born East Dulwich),Albert H. (14, Draper's Apprentice, born East Dulwich), Jessie M. (13, born Portsmouth), Charles H. (5, born Woolston, Hants), and Elsie May (3, born Woolston, Hants).

1901 Census
Infant Orphan Asylum, Wanstead, Essex.
Cecil James Fraser (7, Infant an Orphan, born not stated).

1911 Census
86 Gospel Oak Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Charlotte Fraser (54, Widow, born Kinver), and 3 of her 8 surviving children of 9: Albert Henry (24, Colliery Clerk, born East Dulwich), Cecil James (17, Apprentice Pattern Maker, born Woolston, Hants), and Elsie May (13, School, born Woolston, Hants).

Personal Data

The Fraser family moved around the country due to William Fraser's employment with the Prudential Assurance Company, it was likely a fairly comfortable life style. This seemed to change in 1900 with the death of William whilst living in Wolverhampton. In 1901 Cecil is living in an Orphanage in Wanstead, Essex, the reason why Cecil is there but his siblings remained with their widowed mother is not known. This is confirmed by an entry in the St. Andrew's School (Wolverhampton) Admission Register dated 25th August 1902 for Cecil James Fraser of 73 Newhampton Road, born 1st January 1894. His last school was noted as 'Private', and the reason he left was 'to Orphanage'.

Cecil enlisted with the 7th South Staffs and served with them in Gallipoli from 6th October 1915. By then the worst of the fighting was over, but the conditions were still extremely difficult and hazardous until their ultimate withdrawal in December 1915. Cecil transferred at some stage to the 8th South Staffs, often this was after recovery from wounds or sickness; the exact reason and time is not known.

After Cecil's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £1/19/10d (1 pound, 19 shillings and 10 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Mrs Charlotte Fraser, in February 1917. His War Gratuity was £8/10/0d (8 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his mother, in September 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Cecil enlisted in approximately August 1914.

Cecil's mother, Mrs Charlotte Fraser, was awarded a Dependant's Pension of 6/0d (6 shillings exactly) per week, from 10th April 1917. Her address at this time was 123 Ford Street, Wolverhampton. Charlotte died on 6th May 1924.

Action resulting in his death

The 8th Battalion South Staffs, in 17th (Northern) Division, did not attack on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July, but came into action the next day when they attacked and took Fricourt. This is commemorated in Fricourt by the naming of "Rue du Major Raper" after the senior officer who lead the attack. Following the success of capturing Fricourt, the advance continued slowly northwards towards Contalmaison, with numerous attacks on Quadrangle Support, just south of Contalmaison.

On the 10th July, the 8th South Staffs made the eighth attack on Quadrangle Support. This was at first successful, but they were compelled to withdraw after 3 costly hours due to the lack of progress on their flanks. However, during the evening, the Germans were seen to withdraw and Quadrangle Support was occupied by the 10th Sherwood Foresters, with the weakened South Staffs now in support.

The attack had been costly, with 56 South Staffs men being killed on the day, amongst them Tipton men Cecil Fraser, Thomas Berrow and John Palmer. None of the three has a known grave, and are all commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 14th October 1914
Ocker Hill Patriots join up.
Includes Cecil James Fraser.

Birmingham Daily Post 9th September 1916
CASUALTY LISTS.
RANK AND FILE MIDLANDS MEN.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
Killed.
South Staffordshire Regiment- Fraser, 12243, C.J., (Tipton).