Charles 'Pop' Fraser
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-General Charles 'Pop' Fraser SSA
SM
(1915–1994) was a South African military commander. He joined the South African Army
as a part-time Active Citizen Force
soldier
in 1934 and became a full-time Permanent Force
member in 1946. He served in World War II
.
During World War II
, the Cape Field Artillery
was amalgamated with the 6th Field Regiment, South African Artillery
, in September 1943. On 1 October 1943 became 1/6 Field Regiment. Fraser, as a lieutenant-colonel assumed command of this regiment on 21 October 1944 when Lt-Col Kay, officer commanding, died of wounds. Fraser was in turn succeeded by Lt-Col IB Whyte.
He served as Chief of the Army from 1966 to 1967, and as General Officer Commanding
Joint Combat Forces, co-ordinating Army
and Air Force
operations and training, from 1967 to 1973. As GOCJCF, he was the third-highest ranking officer in the South African Defence Force
's Supreme Command.
South African National Defence Force
Star of South Africa (Decoration)
The Star of South Africa was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 1975. It was awarded to senior military officers, for exceptionally meritorious service.-References:...
SM
Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.The first type, introduced on 6 April 1952, was awarded for outstanding devotion to duty...
(1915–1994) was a South African military commander. He joined the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
as a part-time Active Citizen Force
Citizen Force
The Citizen Force was the name of the general military reserve force of several British Commonwealth countries.-Australian:Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and,...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
in 1934 and became a full-time Permanent Force
Permanent Force
The Permanent Force was an integral part of both the South African Defence Force and the South West Africa Territorial Force and other British Commonwealth militaries. It consisted of all the full time volunteers, volunteers of auxiliaries and national servicemen....
member in 1946. He served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Cape Field Artillery
Cape Field Artillery
The Cape Field Artillery is an artillery regiment of the South African Army. As a reserve unit, it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army or United States Army National Guard unit...
was amalgamated with the 6th Field Regiment, South African Artillery
South African Army Artillery Formation
The South African Army Artillery Formation is the controlling entity of all South African Army artillery units.-Regular units:* Artillery Formation Headquarters* School of Artillery* 4 Artillery Regiment...
, in September 1943. On 1 October 1943 became 1/6 Field Regiment. Fraser, as a lieutenant-colonel assumed command of this regiment on 21 October 1944 when Lt-Col Kay, officer commanding, died of wounds. Fraser was in turn succeeded by Lt-Col IB Whyte.
He served as Chief of the Army from 1966 to 1967, and as General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
Joint Combat Forces, co-ordinating Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
and Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
operations and training, from 1967 to 1973. As GOCJCF, he was the third-highest ranking officer in the South African Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
's Supreme Command.
See also
List of South African military chiefsSouth African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...