Biography

Family background

The Frazer family provided three sons who all had connections with Collingham and who all served in World War 2. The three children, Phillip Layton Frazer, Howard Layton Frazer and Clifford Layton Frazer were all born in Collingham, the sons of Wilfred and Frances Gertrude Frazer (nee Gibson). Wilfred and Frances had married on the 17th July 1913 in St.Oswald's Church, Collingham. Wilfred had been born in Leeds, but Frances Gibson was a village girl, having been born in Collingham in 1887.

An early record of the Frazer family in Collingham is found in the Register of Alehouse Keepers of West Yorkshire, where Wilfred is shown as holding the licence for The Barleycorn Inn between 30th December 1915 and the 7th February 1918.

Wilfred and Frances' first son, Phillip Layton Frazer, was born on the 8th December 1916. About 18 months later, a second son, Howard Layton Frazer was born on the 11th May 1918. Finally, on the 16th November 1920, a third son, Clifford Layton Frazer, was born to Wilfred and Frances.

In 1921, in the census taken that year, the family were recorded in Collingham where Wilfred was described as a motor mechanic working for Frazer and Gibson of Collingham.

The family must have moved house in Collingham sometime before 1938, as Wilfred, Frances and Phillip are all recorded in the Collingham electoral roll for that year at Greystones, Collingham. Only about a year later, Wilfred Frazer died on the 29th August 1939, leaving Frances a widow. By 1939, at the time of the 1939 National Registration, and living at Greystones, Collingham were Frances, described as a garage proprietor; Howard, described as a motor car and lorry engineer; and Clifford, who was an apprentice motor engineer. Phillip is not on the register and it is likely that as the eldest son, he may already have been called up and gone to military service - Howard and Clifford were soon to follow him.

Service record

Phillip Layton Frazer joined the Royal Tank Regiment as Trooper 7894960 Frazer, but during the war he gained several promotions ending as a sergeant.

On the 20th December 1941, the Revd. J.B. Unthank married Phillip Layton Frazer to Joan Pamela Wharam, both of Collingham, in St.Oswald's Church, Collingham. Phillip gave his occupation at the time as a Trooper in the Royal Tank Regiment.

After the war

When Phillip returned from his military service he came back to the Wetherby area, and in 1950 he was on the Collingham electoral roll still registered at Greystones, Collingham. However the following year his registration, along with his wife, Pamela, was at Starwood Garage on Wetherby Road in Bardsey. Phillip continued in the motor engineering business but moved house several times. In 1958 and 1959 his residence was given as Clock Inn, Piccadilly, York and in 1960 at The Gimcrack, Fulford Road in York.

Phillip Layton Frazer died in 1996.

Biography last updated 27 January 2024 15:38:43.