Main CPGW Record
Surname: FISHER
Forename(s): Henry Brian
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Battalion / Unit: 9th Coy
Division: 3rd Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1916-07-24
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. E. 20.
CWGC Cemetery: HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L’ABBE
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Henry Brian Fisher, known as Brian (born 7 August 1895), was the son of George Edward and Lilian Fisher, née Dewhurst, daughter of Thomas Henry and Maria Dewhurst. George was born at Portarlington, Queen's County, Ireland and Lilian at Skipton, Yorkshire. Henry was related to Colonel Bertram Hopkinson (q.v.); Lieutenant Rudolph Cecil Hopkinson (q.v.) and to Gladys Dewhurst the wife of Major Atholl Murray-MacGregor (q.v.).
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 12, Swadford Street - Henry B. Fisher, aged 5 years, born Skipton, son of George Ed. and Lilian Fisher.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: 2/Lt & Capt Henry Brian Fisher, 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers & 9th [Coy] Machine Gun Corps. Theatre of War first served in: France. Date of entry therein: 21 June 1915. Correspondence: Mrs. L. Fisher applies for late sons medals, 3 February 1922. Address: Dr. G.E. Fisher (Father) Swadford, Skipton, Yorks.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Capt. H.B. Fisher, Northumberland Fus. D. of W. 24.7.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Lieut H.B. Fisher, M.G.C. Date and Place of Death: 24. 7.16 of wounds. To whom Issued/Amount: Administrator - George Edward Fisher Esq. £81 17s. 6d.
Henry is commemorated in the War Cloister at Winchester College.
Photograph courtesy of ‘The Warden and Scholars of Winchester College’.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
FISHER, Lieut. H.B., aged 20, Northumberland Fus., younger son of Dr. G. E. Fisher, Skipton, died of wounds received in action July, 1916.
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Lieutenant Henry Brian FISHER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 3rd Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
George Annesley, aged 6 years and his brother Henry Brian Fisher, aged 3 years (taken August, 1898)
The brothers were known by their middle names: Annesley and Brian
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Henry Brian Fisher (taken August, 1902)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
George Annesley and his brother Henry Brian Fisher (taken August, 1902)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Henry Brian Fisher (c. 1903)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Henry Brian Fisher (taken 1906 at Ribblehead)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Henry Brian Fisher (taken 1906 at Ribblehead)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Henry Brian Fisher (taken 1906 at Ribblehead)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
George Annesley (on left) and Henry Brian with their father, George Edward Fisher (taken 1906 at Malvern)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
The Elms School, Colwall, Herefordshire (Midsummer, 1906)
Back row, left to right: G.A. Fisher, F. Carter, S.W. Jose Esq., H.A.V. Maynard, G. Petersen, A.F. Franklin, E. Welchman, E.M.M. Perr Esq., M. Meredith, T. Wood, A. Vincent. Middle row, left to right: I. Oldham, G.E. Davis, Mrs. Owen, V. Vincent, Mrs. Black, Rev. C. Black, Miss Margaret Black, H.B. Fisher, E. Ratcliff, G. Hallowes. Front row, left to right: R. Black, J. Bomford, A. Davidson, J. Whitehead, F.H. Slingsby, I. Webber-Jones, B. Ware, A. Carnegy
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Henry Brian Fisher by Arthur Reginald Smith (1871-1934)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Lieutenant Henry Brian Fisher
Courtesy of ‘The Warden and Scholars of Winchester College’
ROLL CALL OF THE SKIPTON DIVISION LIBERAL & CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATIONS, August 4th 1914 - August 4th 1916
Entry on Page 18
Grave registration notification form
Courtesy of the Fisher family
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Next of kin Memorial Plaque
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Memorial Scroll accompanying the next of kin Memorial Plaque for Lieutenant Henry Brian Fisher
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Bestowal document with King's message accompanying the next of kin Memorial Plaque for Lieutenant Henry Brian Fisher
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Letter accompanying the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals awarded to Lieutenant Henry Brian Fisher
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Lieutenant Henry Brian Fisher’s 1914-15 Star (obverse)
Courtesy of Robert Smith, Keighley
Lieutenant Henry Brian Fisher’s 1914-15 Star (reverse)
Courtesy of Robert Smith, Keighley
George Annesley Fisher the brother of Henry Brian Fisher
George rowed (bow seat) for Cambridge in The Boat Race of 1913; Oxford won by three-quarters of a length
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Lieut George Annesley Fisher M.C., the brother of Lieut Henry Brian Fisher
George was probably commissioned into the 6th Battalion but was attached to the 1st Bn K.R.R.C. He was awarded the M.C. and Mentioned in Dispatches. Wounded on the 31 October 1914 and 15 May 1915. He resigned his commission to qualify for a R.A.M.C. commission. He later became a doctor in Skipton, as his father had been and his own son was also to be
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Lieut George Annesley Fisher M.C., the brother of Lieut Henry Brian Fisher
Cutting from unknown publication
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Box containing the Military Cross awarded to Lieut G. Annesley Fisher
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Lieut G. Annesley Fisher’s Military Cross (obverse)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
Lieut G. Annesley Fisher’s Military Cross (reverse)
Courtesy of the Fisher family
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
04 August 1916
FISHER – Died in hospital in France from wounds received in action, July, 1916. Lieut. Henry Brian Fisher, second son of Dr. G. E. Fisher, Skipton, aged 20 years.
04 August 1916
SKIPTON'S PART IN THE GREAT ADVANCE – MORE LOCAL MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED: LIEUT. HENRY BRIAN FISHER DIES FROM WOUNDS
The sad news of the death of Lieut. Henry Brian Fisher, younger son of Dr. G. E. Fisher, was received on Friday morning in a letter from an Army Chaplain, who stated that this fine young Skipton officer had died in hospital in France ten minutes after being admitted, suffering from severe wounds in both thighs. Deceased, who was only 20 years of age, was educated at Colwall School and Winchester College, and afterwards went out to Canada where he engaged in farming with his uncle, Mr. Arthur Fisher. After the outbreak of war he returned to England to enlist, and receiving a commission was gazetted to the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers.
Dr. Fisher’s elder son, Lieut. George Annesley Fisher, of the King’s Royal Rifles, has been wounded twice.
04 August 1916
SKIPTON’S PART IN THE GREAT ADVANCE – MORE LOCAL MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED
It is evident from letters recently received from local men that many soldiers from Skipton are in the thick of the continued fighting in the region of the Somme, and so doing their part valiantly in the process of ‘giving the enemy no rest’ which we believe is at last awakening German apprehension to the reality and power of the British offensive. Last week-end brought further sad news for four local families, to all of whom the sympathy of Skipton people will go out. News of the death of Lieut. Henry Brian Fisher was received on Friday morning, and on Saturday word came that Pte. Thos. Cartman had died from wounds received more than a week previously. Then on Sunday letters were received stating that Sergt. Fred Stork and Corporal Ernest Cowgill had been killed in a dug-out and that Pte. G. Roy Windle had been seriously wounded in the same dug-out. Sergt. Stork, Corp. Cowgill and Pte. Cartman were old pupils of Mr. Alfred Hartley, at the Skipton Parish Church School.
04 August 1916
SKIPTON'S PART IN THE GREAT ADVANCE – MORE LOCAL MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED: A PROMISING AND FEARLESS YOUNG N.C.O.
Corporal Ernest Cowgill, son of Mr. Tom Cowgill, Primrose Hill, Skipton, lost his life at the same time as Sergt. Fred Stork through the exploding of a shell in a dug-out. He died instantaneously. When the war broke out he was in camp with the Skipton Territorials, and went into serious training for the Front. He went out to France with the 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s Battalion in April, 1915. In civil life he was a weaver and in his youth was a member of the 1st Skipton Boy Scouts (under the late Lieut. Henry Brian Fisher), and the Skipton Bulldogs.
Captain Sproulin has written to the parents as follows:– “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of you son, Lance-Corp. Cowgill. He, with Sergt. Stork, of the same section, were sheltering in a dug-out during an especially fierce German bombardment when a shell burst through, killing all the occupants instantly. His loss has been a very great one to me; a more promising, keen, and fearless young N.C.O. one could not have wished for. During the whole time he has been under my command he has been all one could have wished for. I sincerely trust that the knowledge that he died bravely doing his duty to the last will be some comfort to you in your great bereavement.”
In a letter to the family Second-Lieut. J. Hunter Ward writes:– “It is with the deepest regret that I must tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell bursting in a dug-out, dying instantaneously. I have just written my tribute to Sergt. Stork, who was killed at the same time. More than can be said for him I could not say for any man, but as much I can say of your son. He was a charming lad, and was cheerful and smiling in circumstances when brave men could have been pardoned for giving way. As an N.C.O. he was most willing, and his thorough knowledge of his work was second only to his interest in it. I feel that I must also pay tribute to his virtues as a man, quite apart from his splendid characteristics as an N.C.O. He was a man whom I moved to speak to, and perhaps through that and censoring his letters, I know more of his home life than I do of some of the other men, and through this I understand how much you meant to him and he to you. I feel therefore that anything I can say can lessen the pain you feel. One thing, however, that I know will please you is that he had a Christian burial attended by his officers and his comrades in the section who all feel his loss very much indeed. When circumstances permit I shall be pleased to let you know his resting place. He was killed on the 25th, about 12:30 p.m. Trusting that you will find consolation in the manner of his death, and assuring you of my profound sympathy. – (P.S.) He was probably a full Corporal at the time of his death, as I forwarded his name for promotion some time ago and expect confirmation at any time.”
Rev. Shipman, chaplain, has also written as follows:– “It is a sad task before me when I have to tell you that I buried your son this morning in company with eight other brave lads all killed yesterday. His last resting place is that of a soldier close to the firing line. A cross will shortly be put up over his grave. It is my prayer that God may help and strengthen you in this sad time.”
A COMPLIMENT FROM LIEUTENANT ROBINSON
Lieut. Ralph M. Robinson writes:– “I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear of the death of your son Ernest, or how deeply I sympathise with you and your husband in your great loss. I had been talking to him not long before. I have never met a nicer lot of fellows than the Machine Gun Section that came out with me from Doncaster, and there was none I liked better, nor could trust more fully, than your boy. He was so quick and clever, and could turn his hand to anything. His death was quite instantaneous, so that he suffered no pain at all. He was hit by the same shell as his friend, Fred Stork, and we buried them together in the little cemetery here. Mr. Shipman, the vicar of Long Preston, took the service, and all the officers in our Machine Gun Company were present, as well as several from the 6thWest Riding. We shall all miss him very badly, and it seems hard that such a splendid fellow should have died so young. But however long he had lived he could not have had a more painless or a more glorious end.”
Corporal A. Gough writes:– “I write these few lines with deepest regret to inform you of the death of your son Ernest. He was killed yesterday with Sergt. Stork. I can assure you he was killed instantaneously and he suffered no pain whatsoever. Our section and myself will miss him very much, as he was well liked by all the lads, and by all who knew him. He was buried in a very quiet spot behind our lines, and he was buried decently. I ask you again to accept my greatest sympathy and also that of the section he was in.”
04 July 1919
PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS
LIEUTENANT H. B. FISHER
5th Northumberland Fusiliers, younger son of Dr. G. E. Fisher, Skipton, died in hospital from wounds received in action July, 1916, aged 20 years.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
04 August 1916
FISHER – July 24th, in Hospital in France, Lieut. Brian Fisher, of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers, son of Dr. and Mrs. G.E. Fisher, of Skipton, aged 20.
04 August 1916
LIEUT. BRIAN FISHER OF SKIPTON DIES OF WOUNDS
As briefly announced in our later editions last Friday, Dr. G. E. Fisher, of Skipton, received news that morning that his youngest son, Lieut. Henry Brian Fisher, of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers had died in hospital as the result of wounds received in action. Lieut. Fisher was shot in both thighs, and when admitted to hospital in France his case was hopeless, and he died within ten minutes of entering the institution. Lieut. Fisher was only 20 years of age. He was educated at Colwall and at Manchester College. When the war broke out he was engaged in agricultural pursuits with his uncle in Canada. He heard the call, and enlisted on June 26th of last year. Dr. Fisher and Mrs Fisher have an elder son, Lieut. George Annerley Fisher, of the King’s Royal Rifles, who has been seriously wounded twice, and who is now in this country. Great sympathy is felt for Dr. and Mrs. Fisher in their loss.
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