Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War M.C. group of six awarded to Major C. C. Fraser, Royal Engineers, attached to the 18th Field Company, Royal Bengal Sappers and Miners, for his gallantry leading an attack during an attempt to relieve Indian troops at Mezze, Syria on 20 June 1941. Wounded during this attack, he later died of wounds received in action in Italy, August 1944

Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1941, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure; Memorial Scroll ‘Major C. C. Fraser, M.C., Corps of Royal Engineers’, extremely fine (6) £1,000-£1,400

M.C. London Gazette 17 October 1941.
The original recommendation states: ‘On 20 June 1941, the carrier platoon of an Infantry Regiment supported by guns over open sights were ordered to make a frontal attack on Mezze in an endeavour to make a quick break through and so effect the rescue of a number of the Indian Brigade who were known to be still holding out in the town. There was no Officer of the Infantry Regiment available to lead the carriers in this attack which had to be made over open country under very heavy machine gun and anti tank gun fire from guns sited both in the village and in tanks. Lieutenant Fraser though he had never before been in a carrier and had to take on the job at very short notice, led the platoon with great skill, gallantry and dash. Though the attack was unsuccessful his courage and leadership was a great inspiration to all. His carrier was hit and he himself was wounded.’

Colin Campbell Fraser was born on 20 May 1913, the son of John Fraser, an architect from Dunfermline, and the younger brother of Major John Strachan Fraser, Royal Engineers. He commenced the diploma course at Edinburgh College of Art in October 1936, receiving his diploma in June 1936. During this period he made visits to England to study 'Gothic Architecture and the English Village', and in July 1936 he travelled to France to study housing development and civic design. He was admitted ARIBA on 9 February 1937, his proposers being James Macgregor, John Begg and Frank Charles Mears, and his declaration accepting his admittance was witnessed by fellow architect Frederick Alistair Morrison. Fraser was also an Associate of the Edinburgh Institute of Architects, and his address in the middle and later 1930s was 24 Woodmill Road, Dunfermline. There is a collection of Fraser’s student work in the NMRS RIAS Collection.

Fraser was commissioned in the Royal Engineers early in the war and attached to the Indian Army. He was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on 20 June 1941, during an attempt to relieve elements of the 5th Indian Brigade besieged by Vichy French troops at Mezze, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. At this time he was serving as a Lieutenant, attached to the 18th Field Company, Royal Bengal Sappers and Miners. Fraser was wounded during this action and was wounded in action a second time in August 1944, whilst serving in Italy. However his wounds were very severe and he died in a military hospital there on 14 August 1944.

Sold with a letter of congratulation for award of M.C., signed by General Wavell, dated Simla 21 October 1941, in envelope sent to recipient in hospital, Palestine; copy of citation for the M.C.; a War Office letter to Fraser’s Mother requesting her attendance at Buckingham Palace to receive her son’s M.C. by the hand of the King; a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s brother Major J. S. Fraser, see Lot 437.