Hugh Fraser (East India Company officer) facts for kids

Hugh Fraser (born August 7, 1808 – died August 12, 1858) was a British military officer and important leader in India and Burma. He was known for his engineering skills and bravery during battles.

Early Life and Training

Hugh Fraser was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland. He was the second son of Hugh Fraser and Elizabeth Dunbar. He went to school at The Inverness Academy. Later, he studied at Addiscombe Military Seminary, a special school for training officers for the British East India Company.

A Career in Engineering

In 1826, Hugh Fraser joined the Bengal Engineers, a part of the Honourable East India Company Army. He moved to India in 1828. For many years, he worked on important building projects. He surveyed land and roads, and helped construct buildings. Some of his projects included:

• The European Artillery Hospital at Mhow (1837–1838)
• The Allahabad Trunk Road (1840)
• An iron bridge at Lucknow (1843–1845)

He was promoted to captain in 1840. In 1847, he became the main engineer for Fort William and the chief architect for the Bengal Presidency. He was promoted to major in 1851.

Hero in Burma

In 1852, Major Fraser became the chief engineer during the Second Anglo-Burmese War. He showed great courage during the attack on Rangoon on April 12, 1852. General Godwin, a high-ranking officer, praised Fraser in his official report. He said that Major Fraser bravely carried ladders to the enemy's defenses and was the first to climb them. His actions inspired his team to capture the area, even though they faced heavy losses.

General Godwin also said that Major Fraser's bravery and hard work were outstanding. For his excellent service in Burma, he was given a special award called the Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was also promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. He stayed in Burma for two more years, overseeing many building projects. People even called him the "Grand Architect of Rangoon" because of his work there.

Leading the Provinces

Hugh Fraser continued to rise through the ranks. He became a lieutenant-colonel in 1855 and a full colonel in 1857. In 1856, he was appointed Chief Engineer of Punjab. In 1857, he became Chief Engineer of the North-Western Provinces in Agra.

During a battle near Agra on July 5, 1857, Colonel Fraser showed his bravery again. He rode with the Agra Militia Cavalry and managed to disable the largest enemy cannon. This was the only success for his side that day.

From September 1857 to February 1858, he held a very important position. He was the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western Provinces, also known as the Chief Commissioner. This meant he was in charge of a large area of India.

Family and Legacy

Hugh Fraser married Florence Charlotte Penney in Calcutta in 1850. Her father was William Penney, Lord Kinloch, a judge. Hugh and Florence had four children:

• Hugh Fraser (1851–1920), who also worked in the Indian Civil Service.
• Florence Fraser (1854–1884), an artist.
• Charles Arthur Fraser (1857–1917), who worked in government in the Falkland Islands and the Bahamas.
• Lennox Robertson Fraser (1858–1895), an engineer in Bengal.

Hugh Fraser passed away in Mussoorie on August 13, 1858, and was buried there. He is remembered as a brave military officer and a skilled engineer who contributed a lot to British India.