George Fraser

George Fraser was born at Templestones, Rafford, on 10 October 1887. A resident of Edinburgh and a chauffeur by trade, Fraser attested at Cupar on 21 February 1915, for one of the Mechanical Transport Companies of the Army Service Corps, his trade noted as motor driver. Application successful, he was posted to France on 9 March 1915, with the newly formed 272 Company, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, attached to the ammunition column of the 12th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

According to the recipient's Army Form Z.21., Fraser served as a 'Heavy I. C. Driver'. This most likely refers to a role as a heavy internal combustion driver. The London Gazette entries for each of his awards further note that he was thrice decorated whilst serving with the 12th Siege Battery, with whom Fraser appears to have served for almost the entire war. It was not uncommon at that time for those with specialist skills to remain with their units for the long term; the responsibility associated with transporting vast quantities of explosive and poison gas shells across a landscape raked by enemy artillery fire being entrusted to a handful of experienced men with long-standing appreciation of their part of the front.