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Simon Fraser of Balnain was Brigadier-General in His Majesty's Army. He served in many campaigns, including the Canadian campaign in the Seven Years' War and the Saratoga campaign during the American War for Independence. Fraser ultimately was killed at the Battle of Bemis Heights, which concluded the Saratoga campaign with victory for the Americans.
He was a second cousin to Jamie Fraser, with whom he met two or three times when they were kids in the Highlands.
Personal History[]
Simon fought with the Dutch army at Siege of Bergen-op-Zoom in 1747, and joined the British Army as a Lieutenant in 1755.
Fraser went to Canada with the British forces in the French and Indian War and took part in the Siege of Louisbourg. He was promoted to Captain before taking part in the Battle of Quebec in 1759. At that battle, he was in James Wolfe's boat crossing the St Lawrence. It was his reply, in French through the fog, that enabled the party to sneak ashore before ascending to the Plains of Abraham.
Fraser served in Germany, Ireland, and Gibraltar between wars. In 1768, he became the Lt. Colonel of the 24th Regiment of Foot.
In 1776, the 24th was transferred to Quebec in response to the American invasion, and Governor Guy Carleton promoted him to Brigadier General. When John Burgoyne organized his Saratoga campaign in 1777, Fraser was chosen to command the advance unit.[1]
Events of the Novels[]
The Custom of the Army[]
An Echo in the Bone[]
Personality[]
Physical Appearance[]
Relationships[]
Name[]
- Simon comes from Σιμων (Simon), the New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (Shim'on) which meant "he has heard".[2]
- Fraser may be derived from Fredarius, Fresel or Freseau. The earliest recorded versions of the name, from the 12th century, are de Fresel, de Friselle and de Freseliere, which appear to be Norman.[3] Another suggestion is that the Frasers were a tribe in Roman Gaul, whose badge was a strawberry plant.[4]
Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ Simon Fraser of Balnain - accessed 22 June 2016 via Wikipedia
- ↑ Behind the Name: Simon – accessed 17 June 2016.
- ↑ House of Names: Fraser – accessed 19 May 2015
- ↑ Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 142 - 143.