It is with great sadness that the Association has learned of the passing of Alex Fraser. Alex flew 36 ops as a flight engineer with 630 Squadron. His first mission was to Konigsberg on 29 August 1944. His aircraft was badly shot up losing all communication systems, part of the tail and leaking fuel. He and his crew managed to fly home on just two of the four engines with no major injuries. Alex remained in the RAF post-War and enjoyed a career which spanned 42 years and concluded with a period on VC10s where he held an ‘A’ and VIP operating Category.
As reported on page 3 of the Association’s latest Newsletter, Alex celebrated his 100th birthday during the Summer.
A funeral service for Alex will be held at 11:00 on Friday 10 January 2025 at St Francis of Assisi Church, Bennetts Hill, Woolbrook, Sidmouth, EX10 9XH and will be followed by a wake at a location yet to be confirmed.
Any further information will be posted here. RIP Alex – fly safe.
I had the great privilege of calling Alex my friend. A wonderful, warm and engaging man, I will remember with great fondness the times we sat and chatted over a beer, and the occasions when we travelled to Skarrild, Denmark where Alex, Tom Lockett, Jim Wright and ‘Buck’ Buckley would remember their colleagues from 630 Squadron lost when Lancaster ME650 was shot down near the village on the night of 27/28 August 1944.
During his long, well-earned retirement, Alex continued to take a great interest in the RAF, and in 2011 I was fortunate enough to be able to be able to arrange for Alex to visit RAF Brize Norton where he was reacquainted with the mighty VC10 which he flew as an air engineer for many years. Alex was at home on the flight deck of the VC10 simulator and I was amazed how he was able to recall all his VC10 duties as he sat in the air engineer’s seat when we flew a simulated sortie into the old Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.
As Tony mentions, Alex recently celebrated his 100th birthday where, in his typical indomitable style, he asked when we would next be going to Denmark! We’ll miss you Alex.
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