Sergeant Jonathan Alexander Fraser was born in Iderton, Ontario, on October 10, 1895. Prior to enlistment he was living and attending school in Toronto, Ont.

Fraser enlisted in Toronto on March 1, 1917, with the 71st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The following September, while still in Canada, he joined the Ammunition Column of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force (C.S.E.F.).

On October 11, 1918, Fraser departed for Siberia aboard the SS Empress of Japan, arriving in Vladivostok on October 26. He served primarily in Vladivostok, but also spent several weeks with headquarters staff deployed to Omsk. Fraser returned to Canada aboard the SS Empress of Russia in May 1919, and was demobilized the following month on June 12.

Content notes:
The photographs were taken during Fraser’s Siberian deployment, but exact dates/locations are unknown. 
The March 1919 Nominal Role of Advanced Party Ammunition Column, C.F.A., C.E.F.S. has been posted in the “Letter” section (a technical work-around that ensures service number hyperlink functionality).
The collection’s only letter-type material is a military order written by Lieut. Raymond Hart Massey, best known for his post-war work as a celebrated actor. Massey also appears in the theatrical program (see Artwork category).

External links:
Sgt. Jonathan Alexander Fraser’s service record (Serv/Reg# 342093) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.

Lieut. Raymont Hart Massey’s service record (Serv/Reg# not assigned) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.