Historical information
The photo shows a Junior Legatee, now Captain Len Frazer being inducted into Melbourne Legacy as a senior legatee on 26 January 1943. See also item 00040 for another photo of the event. The notes on the photo identify Legatees Stan Savige, Frank Doolan and W Cremor (ex-Pres. 1936), the man speaking is President Os Gawler, three others in the photo are unknown. Captain Len Frazer had been a Junior Legatee after his father died in the first World War at Ypres. He then served in World War 2 and on his return qualified to become a member of Melbourne Legacy. His service number was VX15205, full name Leonard Thomas Frazer.
From Trove a newspaper article describes his background.
"Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 27 January 1943, page 5
FIRST JUNIOR LEGATEE IN SENIOR CLUB
Capt L. T. Frazer was initiated to membership of Legacy Club by Maj-Gen S. G. Savige, founder of the club, at a simple ceremony yesterday. He was the first returned soldier of this war, and first junior Legatee, to be admitted to membership.
Joining junior Legacy in 1928, Capt Frazer, whose father was killed in the last war, was a foundation member of the Intermediate Club, of which he became president, and he gained the right to admittance to the senior club by having seen active service with the AIF. Enlisting in April, 1940, he served in the Middle East, Greece, and Crete. His father was killed in action with the first AIF at Ypres.
Capt Frazer, who joined the Melbourne City Council as an engineering junior in 1928, graduated to senior MCC engineering assistant before he enlisted. At present he is attached to Army Engineers, LHQ. His wife and 3 children live at Canterbury."
Significance
A record of the first Junior Legatee becoming a Senior Legatee after his war service.
Physical description
Black and white photo of the induction of a new Legatee by L/- Stan Savige in 1943.
Inscriptions & markings
Hand-written on reverse: 'Induction into Melbourne Legacy of First Junior Legatee, Len Fraser. Legatees S. Savige and W. Cremor on right / Legatee F Doolan on left.' in blue ink. Stamped with a copyright stamp (indistinct) in purple ink, and negative number '3245' in pencil.
Subjects
References
- First Junior Legatee in Senior Club Article describing the first junior Legatee to return from World War 2 and join as a senior legatee.