No.30727, Private, Ernest James FISHER
Aged 31
|
Ernest James FISHER was born in Whepstead (1st quarter 1886 Thingoe 4a/705), son of James Henry and Rosetta FISHER (née SHAVE).
1891 census...Aged 5, he was at Tuffields Farm, Whepstead with his father James H FISHER [30] farmer born Poslingfor; his mother Rosetta [28] born Gt Waldingfield; brothers Frank H [6] and Bertie [2]. All three boys were born in Whepstead.
1901 census...Aged 15, a butcher's assistant, be was boarding at 79 Out Westgate, Bury St.Edmunds with foundry labourer Samuel Israel CADGE, wife Mary Ann
and their son Frank William. His parents were still at Tuffields with his brothers Frank, Berite and Ben [9]; sisters Dorothy [7] and Annie [3 months]
|
|
He enlisted in Brockley.
After the Battle of the Scarpe, on April 11th, the battalion, with no warning or preparation, were ordered to attack Guemappe. At first the troops mistook buildings on Les Fosses farm for the village. With enfilading machine gun fire and inadequate covering artillery fire they were unable to cross the forward slope to cover and they were forced to consolidate where they were. They were no more successful in the afternoon and they eventually were relieved and moved back to Tilloy. Of the 33 killed that day, 24 have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras memorial.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
