Robert Frater

Robert Frater was of Scottish descent and born in Australia. A journalist at the time, he served in the Royal Navy during World War I and settled in London after the hostilities. As a swordsman, he was a fine exponent of the épée but never won the national title. He was joint-second behind the winner Herbert Huntington, however, in 1921. That same year, Frater won the prestigious open épée tournament at Calais, and also represented Great Britain in the match against the United States.

Frater had the National Épée Championship at is mercy in 1922 but lost two of his final three bouts, which meant victory went to George Burt. Frater represented Great Britain a second time against the USA in the 1923 Thomson Trophy match, and he was one of Britain’s most successful fencers with three wins and one draw in his four bouts. Frater was also a fencing judge.