Fraser, Admiral Sir Brace

1888–1981

   Fraser was Commander in Chief of the Home Fleet which engaged and sank the Scharnhorst. On 25 December 1943 the Scharnhorst, commanded by Rear Admiral Bey, was sent off on a hit-andrun attack against a convoy off Cape North. Fraser sent a squadron of cruisers to harass the Scharnhorst, separated her from her destroyers and forced her into a trap. The Scharnhorst was sunk by torpedo and only 36 of her crew survived. In 1944 Fraser was promoted to Admiral and became Commander in Chief of the Eastern Fleet and took part in some of the naval operations off Japan. On 2 September 1945 he signed the Japanese surrender documents on behalf of the UK.