TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Frazer, Simon Robert Moorsom

Service number:
271899
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
1st Troop, B Squadron, 15th/19th Hussars, Divisional Troops, 11th Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:
March 20th, 1947
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 17 April 1945. When the leading tank of his unit, 1st Troop, "B" Squadron of the 15th/19th Hussars, met heavy enemy fire at the entrance to a woods during the vital drive on Luneberg, Lieutenant Frazer immediately put his own tank in the lead, stood up in the top of his vehicle and proceeded straight ahead, firing his Sten Gun at enemy bazooka patrols he located. The remainder of his troop followed his lead and successfully forced its way through to its objective. Almost entirely owing to Lieutenant Frazer's unflinching determination, refusal to be stopped and heroic leadership, the advance of the regiment continued unchecked.

Recommendation:
"Lieut. Frazer has commanded 1st Troop "B" Squadron 15th/19th Hussar throughout the campaign in North West Europe. On 17th April 1945 he particularly distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the advance towards LUNEBURG. His troop was leading the advance of the Regiment which was ordered to advance as quickly as possible into LUNEBURG from the west and endeavour to seize the railway and canal bridges in this place before any of these were blown. Some enemy opposition was met in the village of KIRCHGELLERSEN but owing to Lieut. Frazer's hold and skilful handling of his troop this was quickly dealt with. Much stronger opposition was hen met in the big thick woods a mile further east where considerable numbers of nemey armed with bazookas and small arms were dug in in the woods on each side of the road and resisted our advance with great determination.

Knowing the necessity to keep the advance going into LUNEBURG as rapidly as possible Lieut. Frazer refused to be stopped by any opposition. When the leading tank was fired at several times by bazookas just after entering the wood he immediately put his own tank into the lead and advanced straight on through the wood himself standing up on the top of his tank and firing his sten gun at any bazooka parties he located. The remainder of his troop followed his lead and despite being fired at continually by bazookas all the way through this big wood owing to the speed with which they went and the intense small arms fire which they put up the troop got through without casualties.

Almost entirely owing to Lieut. Frazer's great determination and refusal to be stopped by any opposition and his dashing and heroic leadership the advance of the Regiment was kept going unchecked and LUNEBURG was reached and all the bridges seized intact."

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 264, 25 September 1945
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Sources

Photo