Polynesian., 1862-11-01
Death Of a Waterloo Hero.

We extract the following from the Portsmouth
Guardian Sergeant-Maior Ralph Fraser expired
recently at his residence, Is West street. Pimlico,
London, in the seventy year of his age, and
as his bravery on the occasion of the battle of
Waterloo has much distinguished HIM, we con-
slider that he deserves more than passing notice
al our hands,
The deceased entered the service in 1899, in the
Sd Foot Guards (now the Scots Fusier Guards),
and the following is statement of his military
services
In 1901, he was with his regiment in the expe-
dition to Egypt. March Sth, in effecting a land
ing at Aboukir Bay, the boat in which Corporal
Fraser was contained sixty persons, officers in
cluded all, except fifteen, destroyed by the ress-
tance Of the enemy; 18th, general engagement
ensued 2lst battle of Alexandra. 1906, in the
expedition to Hanover. 1907, at the bombardment
of Copenhagen. 1909 to 1914, in the Peninsular
war, engaged in the, capture Of Oporto; 2,
battle of Talivera 3, battle of BusacO: A, battle
of Feunte Honore (wounded in leg and thigh);
), Ciudad ROdrigo 6, siege of BurgOs (wounded
in the leg) Z, siege of BadaiOz s, St Sebastian;
9, Salamanca; 10, Vittoria; IL, Neville; IL,
Nive. In addition to tile above, the gallant SOL
der was IN possession of two additional military
honors, and had more medals and honors than any
officer or priv1te in the whole of the British SER
vice. enumerating altogether sixteen
During the eventiu day at Waterloo Sergeant
Fraser under the command of the late General
Mcdonnell who has ever accorded to him the full
credit due for his successful efforts and the part
he acted in the defence of the post at Hougomont
This post was deemed the most important in the
Duke of Welngtons position, and it was there
fore vehemently asSaed by the French: but all
their attempts frustrated by the galantry of
the Foot Guards-the most prominent in shutting
the gates against the enemy being Major Macdon-
nell. of the Coldstream Guards. and Sergeant
Ralph Fraser of the Cd battalion Sd Foot Guards.
1t was computed that Napoleon's repeated and
desperate attacks upon this post cost him 5000
men, whilst the British lost 400 in the defence
Sergeant-Maior Fraser had been for the last twenty
years of his life an 'armsman' in Westminster
Abbey, and the gallant veteran was followed to his
final resting place at the BrUmptoB Cemetery by
several of his old comrades.
The following anecdOte, which does infinite
credit to the late Sir James MacdonnelI will best
describe the merits of one whose military deeds
have never been surpassed Some few years ago,
two gentlemen waited on the Duke of Wellington,
at Aspley House, and told him that TREND of
theirs had died, leaving them executors to his will.
IN which, among other beqnests he had left E500
to the bravest man in the British Army, and that
they considered him the bravest man. they
had called to hand over to him check for the
money. The Duke was much pleased at the CON-
pment paid to him. but declined to receive the
money, as he said there were many other men in
the British Army who equalled hin in bravery. He
was then requested to decide on whom the money
should be bestowed. This was a difficult point;
but at length he proposed it should be given to
Maior-General Sir James mcdonnell, who so reso-
utely defended Hougomont, the key to the British
position in the battle of Waterloo The two gen.
tlemen then called upon Major. General Macdon-
ne telling him the decision OF the Duke of Well
inex x>2nd rendering him the $500. But Sir
James turn, declined to receiveit, knowing,
he SAID, rssp who, in the battle of Waterloo
had showed himsefaknal to any one in bravery.
The Major General then described that when the
French troops made of their rushes the gates
of the farm house. called Hougomont, in that crit
ical moment when victory and defeat hung evenly
in the balance, Sergeant-AIajor Fraser, a very
powerful man, boldly assisted him to close the
gates, thereby shutting out the French, who were
soon after driven back with great slaughter. Thus
was the fortune of the day decided. The Duke of
Wellington considered Major-General Macdonnell
deserving of the money, on account of his resoute
defence of Hougomont and Sir James considered
that Sergrant-Major Fraser entitled to share
it with him, on account of the great service he
had rendered hun on that occasion. The money
was divided between the General and Sergeant
Major, and the generosity of the Duke of yelling
ton and Sir James Maedonnel will not soon be
forgotten. .'-Auckland Southern Cross.