Lt-Col Sir William Kerr Fraser-Tytler KBE CMG MC (26 December 1886 - 23 August 1963)[1] was a British soldier and diplomat. He was Envoy to Afghanistan from 1935 to 1941.[2] [3]
He was educated at Charterhouse and Christ Church, Oxford and graduated in 1909.
Commissioned into Lovat's Scouts 1 April 1908.[4] Entered the Indian Army 1910 and posted to the 25th Cavalry Frontier Force in 1911. Served on the North West Frontier of India 1914-17 and then in East Africa 1917-18 where he won the Military Cross.[5] He served during the 3rd Afghan War then went on deputation to England with the Indian Peace contingent from 22 June to 13 October 1919.[6] After that he was appointed to the Foreign and Political Department.
Appointed Under-Secretary to the Government of India 1921-23; Secretary to H.M.'s Legation, Kabul, Afghanistan, 1923–24; served in Travancore, Southern India, and on the North West Frontier, 1925-28. Councillor, H.M.'s Legation, Kabul, 1928. North West Frontier, 1928-30; Councillor and Chargé d'Affaires, H.M.'s Legation, Kabul 1930-32; Deputy-Secretary, Government of India and Officiating Foreign Secretary, 1933. Appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in June 1933.[7] Officiating Private Secretary to the Viceroy, 1934. Appointed H.M. Minister H.M.'s Legation, Kabul, Afghanistan 1935-41.[8] Appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in January 1939.[9]
He is the author of Afghanistan: A Study in Political Developments in Central and Southern Asia, London, Oxford University Press, 1950, 348 p. (reprinted 1950, 1953, 1962).[10] [11] Malcolm Yapp wrote that Fraser-Tytler's work is 'well told and the analysis of processes vigorous and penetrating.'[12]