Kind act sees work displayed here

Jock (John Edward) Fraser

Anzac Day is a day of remembrance for the sacrifices of those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

New Zealand first observed Anzac Day in 1916 with processions and church services. In 1920, the Anzac Day Act made April 25 a public holiday to commemorate those who had died in the First World War; today Anzac Day honours all New Zealanders who have served overseas.

To commemorate Anzac Day this year the gallery has artworks by Horace Moore-Jones (1868-1922), George Edmund Butler (1872-1936) and Jock E Fraser (1899-1980) on display until April 29.

Jock Fraser was born in Oamaru in 1899. He was educated in Invercargill and later trained as a primary school teacher at Dunedin Teachers’ College. He taught at several schools across Canterbury including Taiko School and had two appointments at Timaru Main School during the 1920s and 30s, where he specialised in singing and art.

Fraser served in the Intelligence Section of the 26th New Zealand Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Brigade; he saw action in Greece, Egypt and Libya.

On November 30, 1941, Fraser was captured at Sidi Rezegh, Libya and he spent the remainder of the conflict as a prisoner of war. He was first held in POW Campo 52 at Pian di Coreglia, Liguria, Italy, where food shortages and strict discipline were common.

Fraser occupied himself by drawing and produced many sketches of his surroundings and fellow prisoners on whatever scraps of paper he could find.

In 1943 Fraser was transferred to Stalag VIIIa near Dresden in Germany, but before leaving Italy, Fraser left his drawings with an Italian family who later sent them to New Zealand with the advancing American forces.

It is through this act of kindness that we are able to cherish Fraser’s unique drawings today.