Hugh Fraser (East India Company officer)

Colonel Hugh Fraser, CB (August 7, 1808 – August 12, 1858) was a British military officer and administrator in India and Burma.

Hugh Fraser was born in Inverness-shire on August 7, 1808, the second, but eldest surviving, son of Hugh Fraser of Jamaica and Stoneyfield House, Inverness-shire and his wife Elizabeth Dunbar, daughter of John Dunbar, minister of Knockando, Moray.[1] He was educated at The Inverness Academy and at Addiscombe Military Seminary.

He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, Honourable East India Company Army, December 15, 1826 and was promoted to Lieutenant, September 28, 1827. He arrived in India on August 11, 1828. For the following years he served with the Department of Public Works undertaking land and road surveys as well as building projects including the European Artillery Hospital at Mhow, 1837–38; the Allahabad Trunk Road, 1840; and the iron bridge at Lucknow, 1843-45. He was promoted Captain, August 12, 1840.[2]

Fraser was appointed Garrison Engineer of Fort William and Civil Architect of the Bengal Presidency in August, 1847 and was promoted Major, October 7, 1851.[3]

In March 1852, Fraser was appointed Commanding Engineer during the Second Anglo-Burmese War.[4] He distinguished himself at the attack on Rangoon, April 12, 1852. General Godwin in his official despatch stated, 'Major Fraser took the Ladders to the Stockade most gallantly, and alone mounted the defences of the enemy, where his example soon brought around him the storming party, which carried the Stockade; but at very severe loss on our part.' [5]'The conspicuous gallantry of Major Fraser commanding the Engineers and his indefatigable exertions since the expedition was resolved upon, more especially in the field, commanded the highest praise and the best thanks of the Supreme Government.' [6] He remained in Burma for the next two years during which he supervised extensive building work and was later described as the 'Grand Architect of Rangoon'.[7] For his services in Burma he was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath and promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.[8]

Fraser was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 May 1855; Brevet Colonel, April 15, 1857; and Colonel September 8, 1857.[9] In February 1856 he was appointed to officiate as Chief Engineer of the Punjab and in April 1857 Chief Engineer, North-Western Provinces at Agra.[10] At the battle of Sussia (or Shahgunge), July 5, 1857, Fraser, who rode with the Agra Militia Cavalry, distinguished himself by spiking the largest enemy canon, the only success of the day [11]

From 30 September 1857 to 9 February 1858 he held the position of Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western Provinces[12] with the title Chief Commissioner.

Fraser died at Mussoorie, August 13, 1858 and is buried there.[13] He married Florence Charlotte Penney, daughter of William Penney, Lord Kinloch, Senator of the College of Justice, at Calcutta, November 4, 1850.[14] He had four children, Hugh Fraser (1851–1920), Magistrate and Collector, Indian Civil Service; Florence Fraser (1854–1884), artist; Charles Arthur Fraser (1857–1917), Colonial Secretary, Falkland Islands, Legislative Council Bahamas; Lennox Robertson Fraser (1858–1895), Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Bengal.[15]

References

  1. ↑ India Office Records, L/Mil/10/27, p. 19
  2. ↑ India Office Records L/Mil/10/27; 10/36; 10/40; 10/42; 10/44; 10/47; 10/49; 10/51; 10/53; 10/55; 10/57; 10/60; 10/62; 10/64; 10/66
  3. ↑ Bengal Presidency, General Order 20 August 1847
  4. ↑ Bengal Presidency, General Order 24 March
  5. ↑ London Gazette, May 31, 1852
  6. ↑ London Gazette June 15, 1852
  7. ↑ Our Burmese Wars and relations with Burma, W.F.B. Laurie, 1885, p 194
  8. ↑ London Gazette December 9, 1853
  9. ↑ Bengal Presidency, General Orders, June 5, 1855; May 14, 1858; September 8, 1857
  10. ↑ Bengal Presidency, General Orders, February 15, 1856; April 16, 1857
  11. ↑ Annals of the Indian Rebellion, N. A. Chick, 1859, p 793
  12. ↑ The India List and India Office List #130
  13. ↑ India Office Records, N/1/94 f154“”
  14. ↑ India Office Records, N/1/78 f498
  15. ↑ History of the Frasers of Lovat to which is added those of Dunballoch and Phopachy, Alexander Mackenzie, Inverness 1896, pp 732-733
Government offices
Preceded by
E. A. Reade
(acting)		 Lieutenant Governor of North-Western Provinces
30 September 1857 – 9 February 1858 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Administered by the Governor-General of India, Viscount Canning
followed by-
Sir G. F. Edmonstone


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