Fraser was born in Derby, Tasmania and educated at Launceston High School.

He worked as a chainman and axeman and as a teacher in Victorian state schools from 1927 to 1935.

He then worked as a journalist until he enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force in 1942 and served in New Guinea until 1945.

[1] Fraser became a member of the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council in 1949 and defeated Lewis Nott for the House of Representatives seat of the Australian Capital Territory in the 1951 election.

[1] His brother, Allan Fraser, was MP for the adjoining seat of Eden-Monaro from 1943 to 1966 and from 1969 to 1972.