SAS Fraser, William (Bill)

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John Robertson

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Fraser ​
  • FORENAME
William (Bill) ​
  • UNIT
L Detachment SAS + 1 SAS (A Squadron) ​
  • RANK
Lieutenant + Captain (T/Major) ​
  • NUMBER
132513 ​
  • AWARD
Military Cross and bar, Croix de Guerre with Palm (Fr) ​
  • PLACE
North Africa 1942 Normandy 1944 ​
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit 1 Bn Gordon Highlanders + Army Air Corps​
born 4.1.1917 Aberdeen​
resided Aberdeen​
enlisted 27.5.1936 (service number 2876787)​
1 Bn Gordon Highlanders (C Company)​
Lance Corporal 1937​
commissioned 2Lt 25.5.1940​
11 Commando (8 Troop) 1941 (Lt)​
L Detachment 1941-42 (joined 18.8.1941) (Lt)​
1 SAS (A Squadron) 1942-43 (Lt)​
Special Raiding Squadron (1 Troop) 1943 (Cap)​
1 SAS (A Squadron) 1944-45​
WIA 27.3.1945​
discharged 1948​
purchasing clerk, Co-operative Society, Warwick​
died 22.1.1975​
Canley Crematorium, Coventry​
​
 
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I have been researching my great uncle William Gordon 'Jimmy' Brough who was an original member of the L Detachment SAS. As I have trawled through much information I have begun to realise that Bill Fraser is a semi-forgotten member of the originals. He was possibly gay; who cares. It seems that he was respected and followed by many other brave men. He fought through all the SAS campaigns of WWII; was wounded several times; was obviously respected. After the war he fell off the rails; there but for the grace of god go the rest of us. He had done and seen many difficult things. I, for one, think that Major Bill Fraser was a brave and fine man.
 
chrispendlebury said:
I have been researching my great uncle William Gordon 'Jimmy' Brough who was an original member of the L Detachment SAS. As I have trawled through much information I have begun to realise that Bill Fraser is a semi-forgotten member of the originals. He was possibly gay; who cares. It seems that he was respected and followed by many other brave men. He fought through all the SAS campaigns of WWII; was wounded several times; was obviously respected. After the war he fell off the rails; there but for the grace of god go the rest of us. He had done and seen many difficult things. I, for one, think that Major Bill Fraser was a brave and fine man.
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I worked with Bill Fraser at Wallwin Pumps in Warwick from 1966 to 1967. He gave me a 35mm roll of film to develop and print which had scenes from his time with the LRDG. I did not realise how much of a war hero he was until reading of his exploits later. He did drink heavily but I think at home but there was nothing in his appearance or behaviour to indicate he was gay. I feel very proud to have known him.
 
Bill was awarded the Croix de Guerre with silver star (awarded at divisional level) 1/3/48 according to his military file. He was also awarded France's highest award, the Legion d'Honneur on 7/1/44. It was not noted on his British military file but a document from the French Service des décorations
Bureau des propositions et des décorations françaises aux étrangers stated that the
certificate and medal were forwarded on the 7/5/1946, presumably to the War Office.
 
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There is no memorial in Bill Fraser's home town of Aberdeen but he is mentioned within a display in the superb Gordon Highlanders Museum, as in Gordon Highlanders that contibuted to special operations. Interestingly (2025) the book by Tom Petch, 'SAS Speed Aggression Surprise' is on sale at the museum and this book covers Bill Fraser's military career well. Additionally the book was reviewed by the Aberdeen daily, the Press and Journal of June 3, 2023. Online access is available but might be conditional on subscription.
 
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I first heard of Bill Fraser when reading Born of the Desert (1945) by SAS doctor Malcolm James Pleydell MC. With great encouragement & assistance from Alan Orton, son of SAS Original John Orton, I've compiled a War Diary for Bill with a few original documents too (medal citations, operational reports, etc) on my own website here: thequietmancunian.com/MajorWilliamFraserMC.html

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Tonybullant said:
I worked with Bill Fraser at Wallwin Pumps in Warwick from 1966 to 1967. He gave me a 35mm roll of film to develop and print which had scenes from his time with the LRDG. I did not realise how much of a war hero he was until reading of his exploits later. He did drink heavily but I think at home but there was nothing in his appearance or behaviour to indicate he was gay. I feel very proud to have known him.
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do you know what happened to the pics or his memorabilia medals etc? So sad he went like this.
 
Tonybullant said:
I worked with Bill Fraser at Wallwin Pumps in Warwick from 1966 to 1967. He gave me a 35mm roll of film to develop and print which had scenes from his time with the LRDG. I did not realise how much of a war hero he was until reading of his exploits later. He did drink heavily but I think at home but there was nothing in his appearance or behaviour to indicate he was gay. I feel very proud to have known him.
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Hi Tonybullant: I am researching film and photographic material of The Originals for a new film project. I am particularly interested to get Bill Fraser the recognition he deserves and this 35mm footage sounds very interesting. It would be great to talk further about the project. I can be reached at - benpoundstv@gmail.com
 
Tonybullant said:
I worked with Bill Fraser at Wallwin Pumps in Warwick from 1966 to 1967. He gave me a 35mm roll of film to develop and print which had scenes from his time with the LRDG. I did not realise how much of a war hero he was until reading of his exploits later. He did drink heavily but I think at home but there was nothing in his appearance or behaviour to indicate he was gay. I feel very proud to have known him.
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Hi tony can we talk about the film - did you develope it?
 
I just finished a trip through the Morvan in France. Partly guided by the book of Ian Wellsted : SAS with the maquis. Perhaps these pictures might interest you.
These can be found at the memorial museum at Dun les places. Taken at a remembrance ceremony in September 1945.
The last photo shows the new memorial to Bill Fraser and his men, inaugurated in July 2025.

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Hi where can i get the pictures. Awesome pictures of Bill. Ebay an absolute legend.
Portrayed in rogue heroes as some kind of pansy this man saw action for 6 years non stop.
 
it's just pictures I took off pictures that can be seen at the museum in Duns les places France. I can sent them to you by mail if you like.
I started reading about the SAS after watching Rogue heroes, and it became soon clear that the series is sometimes far away from the real deal.
So, no I don't think he was some kind of pansy.. I think he was a very brave soldier that , as you say, gave it his best for 6 years non stop.
 
Totally agree. ill send you some books to get if your interested. Rogue heroes makes good tv until you read into the characters and there missions. Amazing selfless men hunted and facing death at every turn. Bill Fraser had a torrid life for a time post war. We never look after our veterans it's a disgrace.
 
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