Fraser, Alexander Lynne (31 May 1896 - 21 July 1978)
Date 2008/2/22 14:33:21 | Topic: Australian
|  Alexander Lynne Fraser, 3rd son of Kit Barbour and Alexander Fraser, was born at Langsyde Farm, Castle Hill on 31.5.1896. As a youngster he learned to ride “Dick” the family horse when they lived at Experiment Farm Cottage, Parramatta, (built in 1835 by Colonial Surgeon John Harris on land purchased from James Ruse) a skill which proved valuable in later years.
Lynne was educated at Hurlstone Agricultural College, then at Summer Hill, and later became a jackaroo on a Riverina sheep station. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the AIF in WW1 and attained the range of Sergeant in the Australian Light Horse, serving in many of their battles in Palestine after being the last Light-horseman to leave Gallipoli.
On 7th October 1920 at St. Stephens Presbyterian Church, Sydney, Lynne married Violet Anne Eliza Thompson, affectionately known as “Tommy.” She was the youngest of eight children of Samuel and Anne Thompson. Samuel had arrived in NSW about 1885 from service with the British Army in India, and was a gifted musician and music teacher, and his talents extended to Tommy, who, before her marriage, became a babies nurse at the “Renwick.” Benevolent Society of NSW hospital.
After their marriage Lynne and Tommy took up land near “Yarrangaline” Station in the Riverina and set about turning what had been sheep country into a wheat farm. They ploughed the land, sowed the grain and with shining eyes awaited the crop - along with the galahs, bandicoots and plagues of mice. The early years were hard, but successful, until a series of droughts forced them to sell out and return to the city. During this time her nursing training stood her in good stead in her role as bush nurse.
On his return to the city, Lynne joined his brother Mal and two brothers-in-law in the wholesale hardware business, Sydney Importing Company, becoming the firm’s traveller, with consequent long periods away from home. Later in his life he was stricken with an ailment which resulted in spending twelve months in a plaster cast looking only at the ceiling. After his discharge from hospital, he became closely involved with his Masonic Lodge and the Hunters Hill Sub-branch of the R.S.L., where his “devotion and active service” won him life membership of both organisations.
Lynne and Tommy transferred to the War Veterans Home, Narrabeen, where they found loving and loyal friends, and enjoyed keeping up with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And early in the morning of Friday, 21st July, 1978, Lynne Fraser in the tradition of old soldiers faded quietly away leaving the world and all who knew him, sadder for his passing, but better for his having been there.
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