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Samuel Arthur Frazier was born 12 January 1865, at Beechworth, Victoria, the son of Lydia (Barnes) and John Frazier II. (NB he gave 12 Jan 1866 when joining up for the Boer War).

In 1879 at the tender age of 13 Sam was working as a jockey. He was accused and convicted of stealing a horse in Albury. Arrested on 15 Feb he was convicted on 26 Mar and sent to Sydney on 23 Apr. The sentence was 12 months with hard labour in Sydney's Darlinghurst Goal.

Samuel was small, only 4ft. 11in (150cms), with a medium build and fresh complexion. His eyes were hazel and he had red hair. He sported freckles on his brown skin along with scars on the calf of his left leg. Although just 13 years of age, he was well known to the authorities as seen in the account of his trial.

"Albury Quarter Sessions.- The sittings before Judge Forbes were brought to a conclusion on Friday last, and on this day his Honor left for Wagga Wagga. Samuel Frazier, aged 13 years, was convicted of horse stealing; the Victorian police said this was a young "incorrigible," one of the jurymen however, said he was acquainted with the prisoner and considered him, in the main, intelligent, his chief fault being over-forwardness. His Honor imposed a formal sentence of two years' imprisonment, but said he would see that he was placed in a Reformatory." - from the Australian Town and Country Journal, Saturday, 5 April 1879, page 38.

Marriage - 1887

By 1887 Samuel Arthur Frazier was in Queensland. On 22 Jun 1887, 22 year old Sam married 17 year old Isabella Browning. Their first daughter, Lydia Mary Frazier was born soon after but died almost immediately. She had been named for both of their mothers. A second daughter Janet Isabella Frazier was born in 1890 and a third, Irene Ellice Frazier in 1895. About this time Samuel Arthur Frazier decided to abandon his family in Queensland.

Because he was a "traveller" selling door to door his disappearance was not known immediately. However, his wife soon advised the authorities who put out a warrant for his arrest.

"Ipswich.- Samuel Arthur Frazier, is charged, on warrant issued by the Ipswich Bench, with having on the 19th April last, deserted his wife, Isabella, Flint Street, North Ipswich, care of J Black. Description;-- A native of Victoria, 29 years of age, 5 feet, 7 1/2 inches high; stout build, dark-brown hair, brown eyes, sandy mustache and [probably] beard, freckled; speaks in rough voice. The offender was traveling for Singer's Sewing Machine Company when he left Warwick in April last. 27th July 1896" [Victorian Police Gazette, 1896, page 62]. This was renewed two months later.

"Ipswich.-- Samuel Arthur Frazier, is charged, on warrant issued by the Ipswich Bench, with having in April last, deserted his wife, Isabella, care of Joseph Black, Flint Street, North Ipswich. Description;-- A Victorian native, 29 years of age, 5 feet, 7 1/2 inches high; stout build, dark-brown hair, brown eyes, sandy mustache and [probably] beard, freckled; speaks in a loud voice; has been traveling for Singer's Sewing Machine Company. Supposed to have gone to New South Wales. 14th September 1896" [Victorian Police Gazette, 1896, page 290].

Boer War Service

When the war in southern Africa broke out Australian states formed units to assist the Mother country much as it had done in the Sudan. Samuel Arthur Frazier decided this was just the kind of adventure he was looking for. He applied to join Hamilton's Scouts stating that he had spent time in the bush of NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as a kangaroo hunter and prospector. He noted that he was single and was living at 51 Russel Street, Melbourne [That Ragged Mob, p 581]. He gave his father John Frazer, of Centre Road, Brighton, as his next of kin and said he belonged to the Church of England. Samuel Frazer was initially selected for Cameron's Scouts [#709] but then was given the rank of Corporal [#2] in the 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen Contingent [National Archives of Australia series B5177: ?438 3VB a prospector aged 34]. He was involved in training the 4VIB. The English Government had requested only seasoned bushmen, capable of living and fighting in the harsh conditions be selected for the South Africa Force. Samuel Arthur Frazier, Corporal in the 4th Imperial Contingent (Imperial Bushmen) fit the bill. On enlistment he stood five feet six and a half inches tall, with a medium complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. The total establishment for the 4th was 629 men, with 778 horses and 11 wagons comprising: 31 Officers, 34 Staff-Sergeants, 25 Artificers, 10 Buglers, 529 rank and file. He sailed aboard the transport Victorian on 1 May 1900 from Melbourne. On 23 May 1900 the horses and men of the 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen Contingent were unloaded from the transport Victoria onto barges at Beira. They crossed Rhodesia and operated in north-west Transvaal. Soon however the 4th was split up with one group fighting in West Transvaal seeing almost constant engagement and hard long distance trekking. Another group were sent to Cape Colony where they saw very intense service thwarting the invasion of Cape Colony and then mopping up operations. It seems that Samuel Frazer was in the group that went to Cape Colony as he was entitled to wear the Queen's South Africa medal and two clasps [cape Colony and Rhodesia]. The principal engagements of the 4th were Ottoshoop, Malopo Oog, Wonderfontein, Hartebeestfontein, Uitral's Kop, Doornbult, Wolmaranstad, Harteb, Hoopstad, Zeerust, Matjesfontein, Philipstown, and Read's Drift.

Samuel Frazer's experience in South Africa was good on the one hand for he was promoted to Sergeant. On the other hand it was not a good one as he fell ill after some months. It was clear that Samuel Frazer should be invalided back to Australia. He arrived home on 5 February 1901. Later he was awarded a pension [Murray]. The rest of the 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen Contingent were gathered to return to Australia after service of one year. They sailed on 26 June 1901 and arrived back in Melbourne on 12 July 1901. Their service was summarized as follows "The Lieut-General cannot allow the occasion to pass without expressing to his mounted forces his heartfelt gratitude for the splendid service they have performed for their country. Their courage has been undeniable, and there has been an entire absence of any discontent; the hardships of a campaign, during which the division has trekked over 2,900 miles, having been cheerfully faced". [4VIB Fourth Victorian (Imperial) Contingent. Extract from Divisional Order, 16 April 1901, by Lieut-General Lord Methuen] [Source: Frazer, Samuel Number: 2 Rank: Corporal Unit: 4 (Imperial) Contingent State: VIC Murray Page 260 Notes: Sergeant. Invalided, Australia, arr. 02/05/1901. Pension (Murray) 4th (Imperial Bushmen) departed Melbourne 1 May 1900 in transport Victorian, returned July 12, 1901].

Once again Samuel Frazer volunteered for service in South Africa. He joined on 21 April 1902 at Camden, NSW. He was assigned to B Squadron of the 5th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse [Regimental Number 137] [Source: Murray page 188]. Directions to raise the 5th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse were given in April, 1902. At the time he volunteered a second time, Samuel Frazer was a Mine Manager and gave his address as 12 Regent St, Paddington [National Archives of Australia series B5204 folder 12A: Sgt. Major 3NSWIB a mine manager aged 36 from Brighton Vic., 12 months 1NSWIB (entry ruled out in Carrington's Draft 3NSWIB roll)]. He again gave his father, of Brighton, Victoria as his next of kin [National Archives of Australia series B5179 item A: born 1866 a miner from Melbourne next of kin in E. Brighton Vic.]. In 1902 a Mrs. A. E. McLaughlan was the householder at 12 Regent Street, Paddington which suggests that Samuel Frazier was living in a boarding house kept by Mrs. A. E. McLaughlan [1902 Sand's Sydney Directory, p 498]. On enlistment he stood five feet 6 1/2 inches with a medium complexion, hazel eyes, and dark brown hair. Just one month later, on 22 May 1902, the 5th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse sailed for South Africa. James Macarthur-Onslow was the commanding officer. The Battalion arrived in Durban in July 1902. When they arrived they discovered that the war had ended. After resupplying the ships they proceeded back to Sydney. The 5th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse returned August 1, 1902. In August the unit was disbanded. The eight Battalions of ACH were disbanded in 1902 as each Battalion returned from South Africa. [Australian Archives: Frazer, Samuel [Regimental No.137] joined 21-4-1902 - Boer War Dossier 5th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse 5ACH(NSW) Fifth Battalion. Australian Commonwealth Horse (NSW) May 22, 1902. August 1, 1902, Series B4418, Barcode 681639. Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa, P. L. Murray ed (Melbourne, 1911)].

When he was discharged in Sydney probably on 1 August 1902 Samuel Arthur Frazer was 37 years old. We know he had previously worked as a mine manager, a prospector, and as a jockey when young. Where might he have gone after his discharge? Samuel Arthur Frazier was not listed in Australian Electorial Rolls so where might he be? He returned to South Africa no doubt attracted by the opportunities in the mining industry. "Frazier.- On the 7th January, at Durbin, South Africa, Samuel Arthur Frazier, aged 39 years." [Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Saturday 20 May 1905 p 4]. A malaria epidemic broke out in January 1905 so perhaps he died of malaria.

Isabella [Browning] Frazier

When she was deserted in 1896 Isabella had a daughter aged six and a newborn. She would have to raise these children herself. News of Samuel's death in 1905 left her and the children to cope by themselves. During 1908 - 1913 Isabella Frazier and the children were living in Pelican Street, Ipswich Queensland [1908, 1913 Queensland ER Morton/Ipswich, weaver]. Her work as a weaver supported the family.

In 1919 Isabella Frazier was living in Flint Street, Ipswich Queensland [1919 Queensland ER Morton/Ipswich, weaver]. In 1926 she attended the anniversary of her school, Haigsleigh State School, as one of those who enrolled in the first three months when it opened in 1876 [Brisbane Courier, Saturday, 17 July 1926, page 9]. In 1925-1943 Isabella Frazier was living in Evadne Street, Graceville, Queensland [1925, 1943 Queensland ER Morton/Sherwood, weaver].

In 1930 Isabella Frazier was forewoman of the weaving department of Queensland Woolen Manufacturing Co. Ipswich, also longest serving woman in the company [Brisbane Courier, Saturday, 19 April 1930, page 25]. "Lost, on road from Rathdowney and Coochin, via Ebac Crossing, fiber suit case, containing women's clothing. Mrs. Frazier, Evadne-st., Graceville; reward." [Brisbane Courier, 28 December 1930]. In 1948 Isabella Frazier died in Queensland [Qld BDM, 1948/18073]. "Frazier.- The Relatives & Friends of Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Solman, Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Don, Mrs. T. M. Terkelson. Mrs. M. Black. Mrs. R. Roberts, and Families, are Invited to attend the Funeral Service of their beloved Mother. Mother-in-law, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Sister, & Aunt. Isabella Frazier to be held In the Chapel of the Crematorium, Mt. Thompson. To-morrow (Tuesday) Afternoon, at 12.30 o'clock. By request, no flowers."[ Brisbane Courier-Mail, Monday, 2 August 1948, page 6].

Source References
Melbourne. Leader: 'Melbourne Leader' newspaper date(s) 10.3.00
Murray; The "Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa", compiled and edited for the Department of Defense by Lt.-Col. P. L. Murray RAA (Ret.), Government Printer Melbourne, 1911.