Gilbert Fraser

Gilbert Fraser (22 July 1894 – 1 November 1958) was an Australian politician, postmaster and World War II Telegraphist. He was a Labor Party member in the Western Australian Legislative Council from 1928 to 1958, representing West Province. He served as Chief Secretary and Minister for Local Government and Town Planning from 1953 to 1958, and was Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council from 1955 to 1958.

Fraser was born on 22 July 1894 in Bunbury, Western Australia. His parents were Edmund Sarsfield, a contractor, and Ellen Maud Walsh. He was Catholic. His family moved to Victoria when he was young, and he was educated at Marist Brothers College, Bendigo. Fraser returned to Western Australia in 1910.

Fraser married Mary Alice Williams on the 7th of October 1914 at St Anne’s Church, Fremantle. They had three sons and one daughter. In 1915 He was living in North Fremantle.

Fraser was a president of the North Fremantle Amateur Football Club, from 1932 to 19589 less 5 years during World War Two). The home ground for the football club was named Gilbert Fraser Reserve and Grandstand in his honour.

In 1957 he was affected by throat cancer. Fraser died on the 1st of November 1958 at Freemantle Hospital in Western Australia.

Fraser joined the Postmaster-General Department, Eaglehawk, Victoria in 1909. In 1915 he was a letter carrier stationed with Postmaster-General at Fremantle, and continued to work there until 1928.

Fraser was the Labor candidate elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council for the West Province, from 22 May 1928 to 1st November 1958. At this time, at 33 years of age, he was the youngest member to enter any Legislative Assembly in Australia. He was Deputy Chairman of Committees from 1936 to 1952. He was a member of the Royal Commission inquiring into the Electoral Act 1935, and Royal Commission inquiring into the Companies Bill in 1941.

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