FRASER, JAMES (1841-70), who claimed descent from the Lovats, was born in Nova Scotia. He received his first commission in the 73rd Highlanders (1858) and saw service in India (being promoted lieutenant 1859, and adjutant). He retired (1863) with the intention of serving for the North in the American Civil War, but on the fall of Richmond (Apr 1864) decided to take up land in New Zealand.

Fraser settled down in Hawkes Bay and received a captaincy in the militia (Aug 1864). When the Hauhau rising occurred he was offered command of the Hawkes Bay Military Settlers, and he at once took the field with a small force and rendered services of great value, for which he received rapid promotion. He particularly distinguished himself in 1865 at the attack on Pakairomiromi (2 Aug), Pukemaire (8 Oct) and Waerenga-a-hika, where he led the attack with 600 men and carried the position after five days' siege. Fraser was promoted brevet major (23 Sep 1865). On 25 Dec 1865 he fought a sharp engagement against the Hauhau at Omaru-hakeke. On 3 Jan 1866, at Te Kopane, Ropata's contingent, with the help of Fraser and other European officers, carried the position in good style.

Later in the year Fraser, now a lieutenant-colonel, was summoned from Wairoa with his Military Settlers to assist in repelling the Hauhau invasion of Hawkes Bay. Whitmore's orders were that Fraser should take up a position to intercept the enemy detachment approaching by way of Petane. On the morning of the action at Omarunui (12 Oct) Fraser met the invaders, under Te Rangihiroa, in a sharp defile and, having cut off their retreat, killed Te Rangihiroa and 11 men and captured most of the remainder. He was appointed to No 1 Division Armed Constabulary (his Military Settlers being disbanded), and was attached (May 1868) to St John's command operating against Tamaikowha in the Ruatoki and Whakatane valleys until floods broke off the operations. With a force of 50 men he marched through the enemy country from Wairoa to Poverty Bay, returning with an escort of only five. He did good service against Te Kooti at Wairoa and Ngatapa and then took his force again to Bay of Plenty, being appointed to command at Tauranga. Deceived by Te Kooti's movements, he sent an expedition to Paengaroa, while Mair, hastily gathering his native contingents, reached Rotorua in time to meet the invaders. Fraser died on 10 Mar 1870.

Cowan, ii; Whitmore; Lambert; Gudgeon (p); Gascoyne (p); N.Z. Herald, 18 Mar 1870.

Reference: Volume 1, page 158

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