Orders, Decorations and Medals

China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (Capt. R. G. Fraser, R.N., H.M.S. Phoenix) contact marks, otherwise very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine collection of awards for the Boxer Rebellion 1900.

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Collection

13 medals issued with Relief of Pekin clasp to this ship.

Robert Grant Fraser was born in Inverness, Rosshire, on 24 July 1858, and entered the service as a Cadet aboard the Training Ship Britannia on 15 July 1871, aged 13. He was promoted to Midshipman on 19 January 1874 on joining H.M.S. Lord Warden and served next aboard Hercules (April 1875) and Achilles (May 1887). In the latter vessel he was promoted to Sub Lieutenant on 18 February 1878 and subsequently served aboard Duke of Wellington (March 1878), Excellent (May 1878) for Gunnery Course & College, Curacoa (March 1880), Iron Duke (December 1881), and Royal Adelaide (February 1883). In the latter vessel he was promoted to Lieutenant on 7 April 1883 and next joined Cambridge (June 1883) for 'Short Gunnery Course', Ganges (October 1883), Achilles (December 1883), Ajax (May 1885), Rover (September 1885), Sphinx (February 1887), Duke of Wellington (May 1890), Mohawk (July 1890), Britannia (August 1890), Vernon (October 1893), and Gleaner (December 1893).

Whilst in command of Gleaner he was informed by the Commander-in-Chief that he should be more careful in future regarding the fouling of Gleaner’s propellers. He was promoted to Commander on 19 March 1896 and joined Northampton (June 1896), President (September 1899) and Phoenix (February 1900). Whilst in Command of Phoenix he was landed for service with the Naval Brigade in north China from 29 July to 2 September 1900. He was specially promoted to Captain on 1 April 1901 for services in China and awarded the Prussian Order of the Crown, 2nd Class with swords.

He was next appointed to the Command of Trepid (July 1901), Bonaventure (December 1903), Grafton (November 1904), Ramilles (March 1905), Majestic (March 1906), and to the Coast Guard, South Ireland District (October 1907). He was promoted to Rear Admiral on 30 November 1909 and retired at his own request on 21 February 1910. He was promoted to Retired Vice-Admiral in August 1915, to Retired Admiral in January 1919. Admiral Robert Fraser married in April 1896, Lady Jane Hyde Parker, and died on 18 October 1920, aged 62. Sold with copied record of service.