Details from e-mail from Ann McKie (nee FRATER)
Famous Australian impressionist Artist. Migrated to Australia in 1910From general Internet search
Studied Glasgow School of Art, 1905-09 and 1912-13; London, stained glass design (with R. Anning Bell); Paris. After arriving in Australia Frater was employed with the firm of Brooks Robinson as a designer of stained glass (1914) and there made the acquaintance of Arnold Shore. Later he assisted at the modern art school conducted by Shore and George Bell, and with them became widely known as a pioneer of modernism in Victoria. Although his painting was, and remains, sensuous rather than intellectual, he was consistent protagonist for the theories and principles of Cézanne. His paintings represented a liberation and a freedom from convention the made it widely acceptable also to the emerging generations. Frater was elected president of the Victorian Arts Society, remaining president until shortly before his death.appointed OBE for his services to art in 1974.
email from Greg McKie
Their family home was in Alphington.
William Frater was born in January 1890 at Ochiltree Castle at Linlithgow. A substantial place, but more of a ‘House’ than a castle, it still stands, having been renovated by its current owners. It is constructed of stones salvaged from nearby Roman ruins. The town of Linlithgow had a population of 7,500 the year that William was born.William’s parents died from an influenza epidemic when he was young - he had no memory of them. The maternal grandmother (name unknown) looked after both William and his younger brother Tom for several years at Ochiltree Castle. Their uncle Andrew looked after them later at Ochiltree Farm (about 300 meters from the castle).
William migrated to Australia with Tom on the ‘Norseman’, arriving in Melbourne in July 1910. Tom continued on to Sydney and he lived in New South Wales all his life. William returned to Scotland the next year, but returned to Australia in 1914. He attributes his decision to immigrate to Australia to a disagreement with his uncle about a scholarship he had won to attend an art school. His return from Scotland was also an impulsive act - seeing his girlfriend with someone else, he left Scotland within a week.
William applied to join the army in World War 1. He was rejected because of a crooked right arm, broken in a childhood accident. He was always proud that his two oldest sons joined up for World War 2.
William was a noted Australian impressionist artist and he was President of the Victorian Artist’s Society for many years. He was awarded an OBE for services to Australian art in 1974. He was also an important pioneer of Australian stained glass. Even in his later years, he was completely without tact, ‘calling a spade a spade’.
Winfred had been William’s model before he returned to Scotland. They continued to correspond whilst he was away. Their marriage was one of ‘necessity’. One evening after Winfred had been modeling for William, she missed the last train home and she had to stay overnight in the studio. On the basis of that, ‘they had to get married!’
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
William said ‘his parents died from influenza when he was young and he had no memory of them’. This is not strictly correct. Although his father died when he was only three his mother survived until he was 10 and neither died from influenza. William said his maternal grandmother looked after him for several years at Ochiltree Castle before his uncle Andrew looked after him at Ochiltree Farm. This is not true. It was the paternal grandmother and Uncle Adam who looked after him and they lived at Ochiltree Cottages. William said he had to walk 10 km to school in bare feet (even when it was snowing) - he actually attended Bridgend Public School about 1km from Ochiltree Cottages.William emigrated with his brother Tom from the Port of Leith Edinburgh on the ‘Norseman’ arriving in Melbourne in July 1910. Tom continued on to Sydney and remained in New South Wales all his life. He served in the AIF in both WW1 and WW2. William went back to Scotland in 1911 but returned to Australia in 1914. He emigrated due to a disagreement with his uncle Andrew about a scholarship to attend Glasgow art school. His return was equally impulsive - seeing his girlfriend with someone else, he left Scotland within a week.
William was a noted impressionist artist and President of the Victorian Artist’s Society for many years. Their main exhibit area is now the ‘Frater Gallery’. He was awarded an OBE for services to Australian art in 1974. After Barbara died, Dorothy Frater went to her house to clean up. There was a pile of bags ready to be dumped. Dorothy picked up one and noticed it was heavy. She looked inside and found the OBE - it was about to be thrown out!
William was a pioneer of Australian stained glass and his commissioned pieces adorn several churches in Melbourne. He was completely without tact, ‘calling a spade a spade’. He would say things deliberately, simply to gain a reaction and then laugh off your discomfort.
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
In 1901 Ann Steel was looking after William and Thomas. Andrew and John had been farmed out to other relations. Andrew was a ‘chauffeur’, William an ‘artist’ Tom a ‘farmer’ whilst John was a ‘gardener’. John died of ‘ulcers’.Details obtained by Sylvia BRADLEY from Scottish records
William Frater b. 31/12/1890 @ 7hrs p.m @ Ochiltree , Linlithgow
Son of William Frater , Forrester and Sarah Manson who married 26/11/1886 @ Monkston , Ayrshire . The birth was registered by his father .
In the 1891 Census the family were as ;
668/9/7 1891
· William Frater , 27 ,Forrester , Linlithgow
· Sarah Frater , 31 , Ayrshire , Monkston
· Andrew Frater , 4, " "
· John M Frater , 3 , Linlithgow
· William Frater , 1 , "email from Sylvia Bradley
received a letter this morning from The Glasgow School of Art about William.
The letter reads :
William Frater (b.1890) attended evening classes in Drawing and Painting at The Glasgow School of Art from 1906/7 to 1908/9 and a life class ( evening ) in 1909/10. His tutors were D Forrester Wilson , James Huck and Maurice Greiffenhagen .
His occupation is given as Glass Stainer and his addresses are given as 13 Garden St and , in 1909/10, as 162 Cathedral Street .http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Items_listing.asp?S=2&F=1&O=0&T=I&C=96
Title
Art - Paintings - 'The red hat' - signed William Frater. Oil on canvas, National Gallery of Victoria [photographic image]. 1 photographic negative: b&w, acetate
Series number A1200 Control symbol L14163 Contents date range 1951 - 1951Access status Not yet examined Location Canberra Barcode 11683422
email from Greg McKie
Winifred was buried in a small cemetery at Arthur’s Creek, which had not been used for some time. On the day of her funeral, the gravedigger could not construct a grave, so the funeral had to be postponed. Dynamite had to be used to blast the rock. William is buried beside her.update 20.3.2007
Winfred was a ‘tailoress’. She had been William’s model before he returned to Scotland. They continued to correspond whilst he was away. Their marriage was one of ‘necessity’. One evening after Winfred had been modeling for William she missed the last train home and had to stay overnight. On the basis of that, ‘they had to get married!’ They possibly should not have as William was serially unfaithful.
email from Greg McKie
John managed the commercial and legal affairs for Lord Rosebery.Family of Ann Frater (m name McKie) believes that William (Jock)'s father's name is John. Records found by Sylvia show the name to be William. I have to give precedence to the written document. John may have been a middle name?
1891 Census
668/9/7 1891
· William Frater , 27 ,Forrester , Linlithgow
· Sarah Frater , 31 , Ayrshire , Monkston
· Andrew Frater , 4, " "
· John M Frater , 3 , Linlithgow
· William Frater , 1 , "In the indexes of the Confirmations and Inventories 1893 for;
Frater, William 10th May 1893 .Value of Estate £147, 9s, 6d .
Confirmation of William Frater , Molecatcher,Ochiltree,Linlithgow,who died 19th April 1893 at Ochiltree aforesaid ,
intestate,granted at Linlithgow,to Sarah Manson or Frater, residing at Ochiltree aforesaid,Executrix Dative qua relict .In the indexes of the Confirmations and Inventories 1894 for ;
Frater William 24thApril 1894 . Value of Estate £207, 6s , 3d , ad omissa.
Confirmation ad omissa of William Frater , Molecatcher ,Ochiltree, Linlithgow , who died 19th April 1893at Ochiltree,
intestate , granted at Linlithgow to Sarah manson or Frater ,Ochiltree aforesaid .Executrix dative quo relict. original
Confirmation granted 10th May 1893.SC41/53/16/16 Scottish Documents Ref No .
The both Wills for William are 3 pages each , which for a direct relative would be worthwhile getting a copy ; I have only copied
parts with information , such as the Inventory .Inventory of the Personal Estate of William Frater , Molecatcher
1. Cash in house
2. Household furniture and other effectsin deceased House £10 - -
3. Stock in trade/other effects belonging to deceased
4. Sum in Bank
5. Sum due under Policy of Assurance No 2,46,837on the life of the deceased by the Prudential Assurance Company £100 bonus additions
£6-2s £106 - 2 - 0
6.Funeral Allowance payable by the Ancient Order of Forresters Friendly Society , Linlithgow £10 - -
7.Proportion of Salary due to deceased by the Linlithgow Cemetery Board£5 - -
8.Proportion of Salary due to deceased by the Police Commissioners of Linlithgow £1 - -
9.Sum of Deposit Receipt with the British Linen Company Bank Linlithgow dated 25th November 1892 £20 Interest thereon to date of Oath of
Inventory 2s 6d. £20 2 6£147 9 6
Signed Sarah Frater
Signed John Ferguson Sheriff ClerkWilliam Frater
1. Debts £ s d
1. David Ferguson Soliciters , Ayr £5 - -
2. John Thom " , Linlithgow £3 112. Funeral Expences
1. Andrew Binnie , Kingscavil,Linlithgow £7 3 6
2. Linlithgow Cemetery Board for Ground £2 12 6
3. James Dowie ,Draper , Linlithgow £4 4 2
4. Peter Braithwaite ,Tailor ,Linlithgow £1 13 -
5. John Lang , Printer , Linlithgow £1 10 -£25 14 2
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
William was a ‘forester’ and ‘mole catcher’
Did he win a flower competition in Edinburgh International Flower show as reported 10 Sept 1891 in Glasgow Herald Issue 217.
Class Viii Cut Flowers 12 bunches of violna, distinct varieties - 1st W Frater of Ochiltree
email from Sylvia Bradley
1891 Census
668/9/7 1891
· William Frater , 27 ,Forrester , Linlithgow
· Sarah Frater , 31 , Ayrshire , Monkston
· Andrew Frater , 4, " "
· John M Frater , 3 , Linlithgow
· William Frater , 1 , "1901 census
In the 1901 Census it was ;
668/9/8
· Adam Frater, head , 24 , Forrester , Linlithgow
· Ann Frater , mother , 62 , , Uphall
· William Frater ,11, nephew , scholar , Linlithgow
· Thomas Frater , 9 , nephew , scholar , Linlithgow .SC41/53/17/494 Will of Sarah Manson or Frater
This is just part of her will again for a direct relative it would be worth getting, the first part is her appointing Andrew Frater, Forrester, Ochiltree, as her sole Executor till her youngest is Fourteen years old and allowing him to have sole judge and absolute discretion in making advances and to be advisable for the purpose of setting them up in life.
Inventory of Sarah Manson Frater
Scotland £ sd
1. Cash in House 9 - -
2. Household furniture and other effects 7 10 -
3. National Security* Savings Bank Glasgow 147 13 4
4. Broxburn Co-operative Society 42 - -
5. Sum in Deposit Receipt Commercial Bank 65 - -
England
1. 3% Indenture stock of the English
And Australian Assets Coy Ltd 8 - -
2. Two shares of £1 each of above 2 - -
Claim of the deceased against the Securities Insurance Co Ltd for Balance of Deposit Receipt for £200 of the English and Australian Mortgage Bank £179 and arrears of Interest due thereon 28th October 1896 £38 5s
All standing in name of deceased as executrix of her husband the late William Frater
£ 288 11s 1d
1891 Census
668/9/7 1891
· William Frater , 27 ,Forrester , Linlithgow
· Sarah Frater , 31 , Ayrshire , Monkston
· Andrew Frater , 4, " "
· John M Frater , 3 , Linlithgow
· William Frater , 1 , "
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
In 1901 Ann Steel was looking after William and Thomas. Andrew and John had been farmed out to other relations. Andrew was a ‘chauffeur’, William an ‘artist’ Tom a ‘farmer’ whilst John was a ‘gardener’. John died of ‘ulcers’.1891 Census
668/9/7 1891
· William Frater , 27 ,Forrester , Linlithgow
· Sarah Frater , 31 , Ayrshire , Monkston
· Andrew Frater , 4, " "
· John M Frater , 3 , Linlithgow
· William Frater , 1 , "
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
Andrew was a plumber
They had moved to Ochiltree Place by 1861. Andrew was now a ‘hedger’, Elizabeth a ‘drape maker’, Janet was not employed whilst John was at school. By 1881 John (snr) was living with Elizabeth and her family at ‘Fairafar Farm House’ Cramond (15 km East). John (jnr) was living with his family at Barton Bonnyfield College Cramond.1891 census
37 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 60 668/0 009/000 1831
55 1891 FRATER ANN F 52 668/0 009/000 1839
52 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 23 668/0 009/000 1868
3 1891 FRATER ADAM M 14 668/0 009/000 1877
87 1891 FRATER CATHERINE F 14 668/0 009/000 1877
358 1891 FRATER LIZZIE F 11 668/0 009/000 1880
50 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 4 668/0 009/000 1887
350 1891 FRATER JOHN M M 3 668/0 009/000 1888
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
In 1901 Ann Steel was looking after William and Thomas. Andrew and John had been farmed out to other relations. Andrew was a ‘chauffeur’, William an ‘artist’ Tom a ‘farmer’ whilst John was a ‘gardener’. John died of ‘ulcers’.
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
The family were living in Linlithgow in 1851. James, Ann, Ross and Ebenezer were ‘cotton weaver’s’ whilst Isabella a ‘pirn filler’ (winding yarn onto large bobbins). James was living in James Place Penicuik (15 km East) in 1881 with Isabella and granddaughter Isabella (‘a servant’). By 1891 Ebenezer and Janet (‘a cotton winder’) were living in Whitburn.
1891 census
37 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 60 668/0 009/000 1831
55 1891 FRATER ANN F 52 668/0 009/000 1839
52 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 23 668/0 009/000 1868
3 1891 FRATER ADAM M 14 668/0 009/000 1877
87 1891 FRATER CATHERINE F 14 668/0 009/000 1877
358 1891 FRATER LIZZIE F 11 668/0 009/000 1880
50 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 4 668/0 009/000 1887
350 1891 FRATER JOHN M M 3 668/0 009/000 1888
"John" brother of William registered William's death.
"Adam" son of Sarah FRATER (nee MANSON) was head of household in 1901 census
1901 census
In the 1901 Census it was ;
668/9/8
· Adam Frater, head , 24 , Forrester , Linlithgow
· Ann Frater , mother , 62 , , Uphall
· William Frater ,11, nephew , scholar , Linlithgow
· Thomas Frater , 9 , nephew , scholar , Linlithgow .email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
William was a ‘forester’ and ‘mole catcher’
Adam had a ‘sudden death’.1891 census
37 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 60 668/0 009/000 1831
55 1891 FRATER ANN F 52 668/0 009/000 1839
52 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 23 668/0 009/000 1868
3 1891 FRATER ADAM M 14 668/0 009/000 1877
87 1891 FRATER CATHERINE F 14 668/0 009/000 1877
358 1891 FRATER LIZZIE F 11 668/0 009/000 1880
50 1891 FRATER ANDREW M 4 668/0 009/000 1887
350 1891 FRATER JOHN M M 3 668/0 009/000 1888
Details from e-mail from Ann McKie (nee FRATER)
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
John was an ‘agricultural labourer’. The family were living in ‘Hillhouse farm’ Linlithgow in 1841. They were sharing with their nephew Andrew (an ‘agricultural labourer’).
In 1851 John (snr) was working as a ‘hedger’ in Ochiltree.
They had moved to Ochiltree Place by 1861. Andrew was now a ‘hedger’, Elizabeth a ‘drape maker’, Janet was not employed whilst John was at school. By 1881 John (snr) was living with Elizabeth and her family at ‘Fairafar Farm House’ Cramond (15 km East). John (jnr) was living with his family at Barton Bonnyfield College Cramond.
Details from e-mail from Ann McKie (nee FRATER)
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
The family were living in Linlithgow in 1851. James, Ann, Ross and Ebenezer were ‘cotton weaver’s’ whilst Isabella a ‘pirn filler’ (winding yarn onto large bobbins). James was living in James Place Penicuik (15 km East) in 1881 with Isabella and granddaughter Isabella (‘a servant’). By 1891 Ebenezer and Janet (‘a cotton winder’) were living in Whitburn.
email from Greg McKie
1861 working as a "pirn Winder"
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
The family were living in Linlithgow in 1851. James, Ann, Ross and Ebenezer were ‘cotton weaver’s’ whilst Isabella a ‘pirn filler’ (winding yarn onto large bobbins). James was living in James Place Penicuik (15 km East) in 1881 with Isabella and granddaughter Isabella (‘a servant’). By 1891 Ebenezer and Janet (‘a cotton winder’) were living in Whitburn.
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
The family were living in Linlithgow in 1851. James, Ann, Ross and Ebenezer were ‘cotton weaver’s’ whilst Isabella a ‘pirn filler’ (winding yarn onto large bobbins). James was living in James Place Penicuik (15 km East) in 1881 with Isabella and granddaughter Isabella (‘a servant’). By 1891 Ebenezer and Janet (‘a cotton winder’) were living in Whitburn.
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
The family were living in Linlithgow in 1851. James, Ann, Ross and Ebenezer were ‘cotton weaver’s’ whilst Isabella a ‘pirn filler’ (winding yarn onto large bobbins). James was living in James Place Penicuik (15 km East) in 1881 with Isabella and granddaughter Isabella (‘a servant’). By 1891 Ebenezer and Janet (‘a cotton winder’) were living in Whitburn.
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
In 1851 James was a ‘road labourer’ living in High Street Linlithgow.
email from Greg McKie 20.3.2007
In 1851 James was a ‘road labourer’ living in High Street Linlithgow.Elizabeth, who never married, was a ‘house servant’ living in the same street.
From Karen Frater
From Karen Frater