Albany veteran’s life story to be published
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In Albany, Western Australia, Michael Page completed a biography of Laurie Fraser, a decorated army veteran and longtime community leader.
Fraser experienced a difficult childhood, becoming orphaned after his father died from tuberculosis and spending time in boys’ homes. He joined the Australian Army in 1956, training at Kapooka in New South Wales before serving in Malaya, Borneo, and Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the Special Air Services.
Fraser rose to become Regimental Sergeant Major of the SAS by 1974. After his military service, he moved to Albany and dedicated himself to community work, serving as president of the Albany RSL sub-branch and Legacy WA, and as a senior Freemason. Page spent over a decade writing the biography, initially meeting resistance from Fraser who eventually agreed to share his life story.
Peter Aspinall, a fellow RSL member, wrote the foreword and highlighted Fraser’s crucial role in securing funding for the National Anzac Centre, now considered the second most significant war museum in Australia. The book, titled A Warrior’s Story: Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Bloody Way, will be launched at the Albany RSL this Saturday, with signed copies available.
