Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward Charles Fraser # 1320A 11th Light Horse Regiment

The story of Edward Fraser is typical of many young men of the period. In the euphoria created by the news of the Gallipoli landings, he attempted to enlist underage, was discharged and re enlisted the moment he turned 18. His life was cut short in a mad heroic cavalry charge against German machine guns and Turkish rifles.

Edward Fraser was born in the Greenslopes district and attended Junction Park State School. Upon leaving school at 13, he attended Kelly’s College for two years to qualify as a clerk. Various documents record his occupation as labourer, butcher and clerk. Edward’s mother, when completing the circular for the Roll of Honour reported that he was associated with the Oxley District. It is possible that Edward was employed at the Foggitt Jones Bacon Factory at Oxley, as at the time, this was a major employer and it is possible that Edward had performed a number of duties there.

Edward gave his mother’s name and address as Christina Renton Fraser; “Inglenook”, Peach Street, Dunellen Estate (now Greenslopes) and his father was deceased.

Edward first presented himself for enlistment on 13th September 1915. He claimed to be 18 years old but a document signed by the Commanding Officer of the 1st Military District (Brisbane) indicates that Edward admitted he was only 17, so after spending 4 months in training at Enoggera, he was discharged on 30th January 1916. The reinforcements for the 9th Battalion, to which he was previously attached departed Brisbane the next day.

Just over twelve months after his first attempt at enlistment in 1915, Edward again presented himself for recruitment; this time armed with a document signed by his mother stating that he was now 18 years old. On his attestation papers, Edward stated that he had four months previous military experience with the 9th Battalion (before being discharged) as well as 2 years with the senior Cadets.

At enlistment on 30th September 1916, Edward was posted to the 11th Depot Battalion before being sent to signal school. Perhaps his desire for combat persuaded the authorities that he was not suited to signals, in spite of his clerical background, and he was finally posted to the 14th reinforcements for the 11th Light Horse. Barely two months after enlistment, Edward sailed for Egypt arriving in Suez on 19th January 1917. He was posted to a Light Horse training battalion at Moascar where he was caught in town without a leave pass and was given 48 hours detention. Edward was finally marched in to his unit in May 1917. By this stage of the war, the Australian Light Horse were driving the Turks (supported by German Officers and specialist units) out of Palestine. The 11th Light Horse were present at the battle of Beersheba but did not take part in the famous charge. In early 1918, the regiment was in rest camp in Egypt when Edward reported sick to hospital with appendicitis. He rejoined the unit in August 1918.

The 11th Light Horsemen were issued with swords (the Light Horse had traditionally operated as mounted infantry, armed with rifle and bayonet. They were not trained as cavalry) in preparation for what would prove to be the final battle of the war in Palestine.

On the 25th September 1918, the 11th Light Horse attacked the Turkish garrison town of Semakh on the shore of Lake Tiberias. Regimental diary entries report that “B” Squadron charged the town mounted with swords drawn, against withering machine gun and rifle fire. Red Cross Wounded and Missing Reports from eye witnesses record that Edward Fraser had two horses shot out from underneath him during the charge, whereupon he mounted an Arab pony to press home the attack. Edward and 11 other members of “B” Squadron were killed by machine gun fire.

The battle of Semakh was the last action by the Light Horse in Palestine. The Turks surrendered on 30th October 1918. Those killed in the battle were buried by the shores of the lake with Chaplain Bests in attendance. In 1919, the remains were exhumed and reburied in the Haifa War Cemetery.

Edward’s mother received three copies of a photograph of his grave, a funeral benefit from the Ancient Order of Druids Lodge and his personal effects which included his emu plume; the iconic symbol of the Light Horse. At the time of his death, Edward Fraser had just turned 20.

Remarkably, Edward Fraser in not commemorated on the memorial Gates at Langlands Park. A young man whose quest for adventure and willing sacrifice deserves to have his story remembered.