Fundo 93/432 - A.B.F. Fraser-Harris fonds

Alexander Beaufort Fraser Fraser-Harris served with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during 1946-1965 and attained the rank of Commodore. Born on 16 November 1916 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was educated in Eastbourne, England and received a Commonwealth Scholarship to the Royal Naval College Dartmouth in 1930 at the age of 13. He obtained his early training with the Royal Navy and served as Midshipman in Repulse and destroyer Westcott, taking part in the International Patrol during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. In 1939, he engaged in convoy patrols, anti-submarine and air defence over the North Sea. Promoted Lieutenant in February, he completed Flying Training and was awarded wings in April. In 1940, he participated in raids over Norway before being appointed to 759 Fighter Training Squadron as instructor. Promoted to Flight Commander in 1941 and Chief Flying Instructor & Commander Flying in 1944, he then transferred to the RCN in 1946, taking on the position of Commanding Officer of No.1 Training Air Group. Promoted to Commander in 1948 and to Captain in 1954, he was appointed Director of Naval Aviation at the Headquarters in Ottawa. In December 1956, he was assigned to the United Nations force for peacekeeping duty in the Suez War Zone and designated as Naval Deputy to General Burns, United Nations Commander. In July 1957, he joined the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic as Assistant Director Plans of Annual Review. He was promoted Commodore and appointed Assistant Chief of Staff (Air & Warfare) in October 1962 before being honorably released in April 1965.