James Fraser (administrator) explained

James Fraser C.M.G., M.Inst. C.E. (20 August 1861^[1] – 28 July 1936) was an Australian-born Chief Commissioner of New South Wales railways from 1917 to 1926. He has been credited with inauguration of Sydney's railway electrification.

History

Fraser was born in Braidwood, New South Wales, and educated at Sydney Grammar School.He joined the railways as a cadet draftsman^[2] or civil engineer,^[3] and in 1903 succeeded Thomas Rhodes Firth, his father-in-law, as engineer-in-chief for existing lines.In 1914 he was appointed Assistant Commissioner, and in 1917 became Chief Commissioner, in place of Harper, who was in poor health. The role of Assistant Commissioner was restored:

• Edward Milne, Assistant Commissioner, traffic
• John Henry Cann, Assistant Commissioner, construction
• Henry Fox, Assistant Commissioner, staff matters^[4]

He resigned in 1929 and was succeeded by W. J. Cleary.^[3]

1931 he was appointed to the Transport Coordination Board,^[3] which was dissolved in 1932 after the collapse of the Lang Government.

He died at his home "Arnprior", Avon Road, Pymble, at the age of 74 after a year suffering from tuberculosis.

Family

Fraser married Maria Elizabeth "Bessie" Firth (c. 1866 – 30 August 1929) on 11 November 1891.^[5] They had four sons:^[6]

• Keith Aird Fraser (9 January 1893^[7] – 23 August 1952) was born at "Burenda", Wycombe-road, Neutral Bay. He adopted a railways career, became Commissioner of Railways in 1952 but died the same year.
• James Firth Fraser (21 September 1896^[8] – 26 August 1927)^[9] Son served overseas in WWI and completed his medical degree, but died from tuberculosis shortly after.
• Noel Fraser (6 February 1903^[10] –) born at "Arnprior", Neutral Bay
• Ian Fraser (7 October 1911^[11] –)

Other interests

Fraser was known to play the occasional game of bridge.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Book: Martha Rutledge . J. D. Walker . Australian Dictionary of Biography 'Fraser, James (1861–1936) . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . 1996 . 1 April 2024.
2. News: Our Railroad Chiefs . . 1886 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 February 1926 . 1 April 2024 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Mr Fraser's Death . . 5810 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 July 1936 . 1 April 2024 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: 3 January 1917 . Railway Commissioners . 1 April 2024 . . New South Wales, Australia . 5 . National Library of Australia . 41.
5. News: Family Notices . . 1240 . New South Wales, Australia . 20 November 1891 . 1 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Mrs James Fraser . . 28,600 . New South Wales, Australia . 3 September 1929 . 1 April 2024 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Family Notices . . 17,110 . New South Wales, Australia . 21 January 1893 . 1 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: Family Notices . . 18,264 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 September 1896 . 1 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Railway Commissioner's Son Dead . . 14,888 . New South Wales, Australia . 27 August 1927 . 1 April 2024 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Family Notices . . 20,260 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 February 1903 . 1 April 2024 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: Family Notices . . 23,012 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 October 1911 . 1 April 2024 . 16 . National Library of Australia.