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War Memorial
Australia

Albert (Bert) was born on the 16th February, 1917 in Port Lincoln. He was the second of three sons born to Keith Hopetown and Alison Dagleish Fraser, with siblings Robert (Bob) and William (Bill).
Bert’s father was a highly respected football umpire who travelled the region to officiate at local games, invariably being lauded for his control of the game. It was therefore inevitable that the boys would also play with Bert lining up for Waybacks and quite regularly being named in the best player list. The family also were enthusiastic participants in events, including at nearby Coulta which held a fancy-dress frolic in ’27. It was through such events that Bert met Alyce Farrelly to whom he was later engaged, just prior to enlisting in May ’40. Earlier that year, North Shields held a huge rodeo and gymkhana to raise funds for the Red Cross and Charlton Hall. Bert was in a team of four for the men’s ‘knocking the tin’ competition in which they came fourth.
Post school, Bert worked as a labourer, but with the outbreak of WWII, a concerted drive was conducted in country areas to encourage fit, single young men to join the forces. Bert or ‘Spiro’ as he was affectionately called, enlisted on the 9th June, 1940. He was given the number SX6897 and became a signaller with the 9th Division, of which the 2/48th Battalion was part. Bert’s early days were spent at Largs, but unfortunately, he became unwell and returned home on sick leave.
Aged 23, and preparing for Army service, Bert announced his engagement to Alyce Lorraine Farrelly in May and they married soon after. He returned home on pre-embarkation leave in July when he and Trevor Edwards SX2318, who joined the 2/10th Battalion, were farewelled. The Fighting Forces Farewell Committee had organised the event, held in the RSL Club Room, presided over by the Mayor. Several speeches were made, praising the two young men. They were then presented with a parcel of goods, before each made a speech, followed by their fathers also adding a few words. By that stage, newly married Bert was accompanied by his new wife, Alyce.
The following year Spiro’s brothers also enlisted, William on the 22nd September, ‘41 as 47067, becoming a Leading Aircraftman with the 6 Service Flying Training School at Mallala. Robert then enlisted on the 15th November as SX15172 with the Ambulance Regiment.
Bert arrived in the Middle East in April ’41 and by the following month had been graded as a Group II Linesman. He was constantly involved in the desert action, with his skills under constant demand.
Almost two years later, Bert was able to leave the Middle East and return to Australia via Sydney in February ‘43 before returning home on leave. This coincided with him, his father Keith and brother Bob all being pallbearers for 81-year-old Annie Myers, who had been a long-term resident and friend of the Fraser family in Lincoln.
However, by the start of September ‘43, Bert lost a day’s pay for being absent without leave. This began a series of leave without pay, immediately followed by him being AWL on several occasions and facing further loss of pay whilst training in the tropical conditions of Queensland at the commencement of ’44.
Bert was finally discharged on the 6th December ’45. A week later his divorce from Alyce was granted. War, overseas service and minimal time together were some of the contributing factors.
Bert was fortunate to meet the love of his life and married Joyce Mary McDonald in ’65 (an active participant in the CWA) . The two had two children, Ian and Alison.

His mother, Alison lived to see Bert return home from war and enjoy family life. Aged 79, she died on the 14th September ’74. His father, Keith died the following year. Both parents are now resting in the North Shield Cemetery.
56-year-old Joyce pre-deceased Bert ‘Spiro’ and died on the 19th June ’81. She now rests in the North Shield Cemetery.
From the battlefield and surrounded by mates, by ’92 Bert faced his own very personal battle. In a more enlightened and aware era, his son, Ian was interviewed by a Port Lincoln Times reporter.
‘While doctors and nurses are at the frontline of health care, a growing group of unsung heroes battle in the trenches of home care. Port Lincoln's Albert (Spiro) Fraser was one of the World War Two Rats of Tobruk but since a stroke in 1989, he has been unable to talk or read, and he has a limited memory which is slowly deteriorating. For the past two and a half years his care has been left to his only son Ian Fraser. Mr Fraser said while he loves his father, the responsibility of his care is stressful and has caused him several health problems resulting in surgery and the break-up of his marriage. He said home carers also needed care and support from the community to help them cope. Community awareness and support for home carers is the key theme to National Carers Awareness Week which started on Sunday. Since Christmas Mr Fraser has cared for his father in his own home, providing him with the 24-hour care he needs. While Mr Fraser snr can do some things including making his bed, he forgets from day to day where the cutlery is and what it is used for. Mr Fraser said his father would attempt to light fires in the fireplace but then forget to watch them. One day Mr Fraser came home to find his lounge almost on fire, with paint peeling from the ceiling from the heat.’ Ian added “carers needed more access to respite care and that required greater levels of government funding. "For what he has been through for service to his country during the war, he should be able to get more from the government."
Spiro lived to be 77 but died of a stroke in his hometown of Port Lincoln on the 23rd September, 1994. The family’s poignant tribute appeared in the Port Lincoln Times. ‘FRASER, Albert Keith (Spero) — Passed away Matthew Flinders Home, September 23,1994, aged 77 years. Ex AIF, Signal 9th Division. Loving husband of Joyce May (deceased), loving father of Ian and Alison, grandfather of Craig, Dianne and Dion, Wayne and David, great grandfather of 3. It's a long way to Tipperary Spero. FRASER, Albert Keith (Spero) — Passed away 23.9.94. Will be sadly missed. Father-in-law of Leon and loved grandfather of Wayne, David and Lee, great grandfather of Monique and Tamikah.’
Fittingly, Bert ‘Spiro’ is remembered in the Happy Valley Cemetery, RSL Garden of Remembrance with others who also served with him. He is in RSL Section, Row U Plot 8.
The following year the family placed a remembrance to him. ‘FRASER, Albert Keith (Spiro) - Passed away 23.9.94. This day is remembered and silently kept for a Dad too precious to ever forget. Loving father of Ian and Alison and families.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.