James Robb Fraser, (September 12, 1874 – July 18, 1963), was a Scottish-Canadian bagpiper and soldier, who was one of the premier Pipe Majors in Canada.

Early life

James Fraser was born in Keith, Scotland, to John Fraser and Elizabeth Milne. On August 1, 1892, he enlisted as a Private in the 1st Battalion,

Gordon Highlanders The Gordon Highlanders was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed for 113 years, from 1881 until 1994, when it was amalgamated with The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) to form The Highlanders (Seaforth, Go ...

. He was appointed a Piper and proceeded with the regiment to India in 1894. With the Gordons he fought in the Chitral Campaign in 1895, and in the Tirah Campaign in 1897. During the Battle of Dargai, when Piper Findlater was wounded, Fraser heroically took up his pipes and played the regiment to the top of the heights before also being wounded in the leg. Fraser then served with the Gordons in South Africa from 1899 to 1902, fighting throughout the whole

Second Boer War The Second Boer War (, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics (the South African Republic and ...

. In 1903 he returned to Scotland and joined the 3rd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, rising to the rank of Pipe Major.

Canada’s Pipe Major

In 1913, Fraser was convinced by Col. William Hendrie to immigrate to Canada, and serve as Pipe Major of his regiment. He quickly sailed to Toronto and joined the Canadian Militia, becoming Pipe Major of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Pipes & Drums. Fraser served as Pipe Major from 1913 until 1952. As Pipe Major he trained and sent three bands overseas during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, and during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

he trained the first band to land in Europe. James Fraser Display

Pipe Major Fraser, along with Charles Dunbar, was widely considered one of the top Piping instructors in Canada, and the band of the 48th Highlanders was one of the best in the commonwealth. Due to his success and prominence, Fraser was known as “Canada’s Pipe Major”. Fraser was approached by St. Andrew's College to found their Cadet Corps Pipes and Drums in 1915, and he served as instructor for the college until the 1950s. When

Maple Leaf Gardens Maple Leaf Gardens is a historic building located at the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church and Wellesley, Church Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The building was originally constructed in 1931 as an indoor arena to host ice hoc ...

was opened in 1931, Fraser and the Band of the 48th Highlanders performed for the home opener of the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, a tradition that continues to this day.

Later life

Fraser married Jane Mellis in 1908 and Isobel Taylor in 1932. He retired from the Canadian Army in 1952, having served almost a full 60 years in the Army, and died in Toronto on July 18, 1963.

Awards and decorations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fraser, James Robb 1874 births 1963 deaths