Peter Fraser: The person and the politician

Enfys McKenzie worked for Peter Fraser in the information section of the Prime Minister's Department from 1943 until the end of 1945. She remembers the man she worked for:

When I read the title of this biography, I thought how appropriate it was. It is 51 years since his death. Those who knew and respected him have had a long wait for this book. Certainly Peter Fraser did not consider the length of the day. He fainted not and fought on during his whole political life.

As a new member of staff I was amazed at the range of activities involving the Prime Minister and the number of visitors. One constant visitor was union leader F. B. Walsh, whose partnership with Fraser was so important.

What was interesting was the great difference in their personalities - the PM reserved and formal, Walsh rough in speech and manner. He would walk into the office, throw his homburg on the nearest desk, and go in without delay to meet Fraser.

At first I was in awe of Fraser. But as my confidence grew I came to appreciate his capacity for work. His stamina never ceased to amaze me.

Shortly after I started work, Gordon Coates died suddenly. The next day I was going up in the lift with Fraser and I spoke of my regret at his passing. His eyes filled with tears. These two men of much different backgrounds had become real friends.During the hurly-burly of the 1943 election and its aftermath we all worked so hard and I saw how the stress affected him. He became impatient at times - but who could blame him, he had so much to cope with.

His concern for the troops was ever present. He was determined after the disasters of Greece and Crete that there should be no needless loss of life. He was prepared to interfere and earned the disapproval of some members of the General Staff.

I shall never forget VJ Day. All of us were in high celebratory mood, from the messengers to the PM himself. I had never seen him so relaxed. I think it was the only time I ever saw him drinking wine and that was only to propose a toast to peace.

I left the department at the end of 1945 as I followed my husband [returned from war]. I did not expect to see Fraser again, but in January 1950 my father died and the service was held in St John's presbyterian church, where he had been minister. He had been a great orator and had taken part in rallies in the town hall with Fraser. I did not expect him, but there he was. I chided him a little knowing of his propensity for attending funerals, but was touched.

Sadly, his own death came later that year. Tributes came from all over the world praising his astuteness as a politician, practical idealism and statesmanship.

But as a junior member of his staff I remember his thoughtfulness, his humour, his love of words, his complete lack of pretension.