John Fraser

Who was John Fraser?

General Sir John Fraser, GCH was a British Army officer.

Fraser was the second son of William Fraser of Park, near Fraserburgh, and his wife, Katherine née Kinellar. On 29 September 1778, Fraser was appointed a lieutenant in the 73rd Highlanders, afterwards the 71st Highland Light Infantry. He was later on board Rodney's fleet with a second battalion of this regiment during the actions with the Spanish Caraccas fleet under Juan de Lángara and at the relief of Gibraltar. He served at the defence of Gibraltar in 1780–82, until the loss of his right leg, his second wound during the defence, compelled him to return home.

Fraser was captain of a garrison invalid company at Hull in 1785–93, and at the outbreak of the French Revolutionary War, raised men for an independent company. He became a major on 28 August 1794, and a lieutenant colonel, royal garrison battalion, on 1 September 1795. He served at Gibraltar in 1796–8, part of the time as acting judge advocate and civil judge. On 1 January 1800 he was appointed colonel of the Royal African Corps, composed of military offenders from various regiments pardoned on condition of life-service in Africa and the West Indies.