Oscar Fisher an Early RAF Casualty & WWI Veteran
Oscar Fisher 1918 Flight Cadet
There’s a beautiful memorial in Grimsby’s Scartho Road Cemetery to a brave young man . . .
Oscar Fisher was not only a brave man but clearly a man dedicated to duty and to his country.
Having already served with the Fifth Seaforth Highlanders he then went on to join the earliest incarnation of the RAF and became a Flight Cadet.
The Royal Flying Corps, later the Royal Air Force, used to, amongst other places of course, fly out of Netheravon, now reputedly the longest continually running airfield in the world, and it was used extensively for training young pilots, as I understand it; the number of losses during training were dreadful !
I have been trying to find out something of the history of Oscar Fisher but sadly I’ve come up with very little. I’m believe he was awarded 2 campaign medals, Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service during World War I.
Oscar Fisher’s Grave ~ Grimsby Cemetery
Lincolnshire has become synonymous with the Royal Air Force during wartime and Oscar will have been amongst the very early casualties which, tragically, went on to reach terrible proportions.
We recently found out quite a bit about the very similar circumstances of another early flier Frank Broadhead and I should very much like to do the same here.
If you can help in any way then please do leave a comment.
Respectfully yours,
Rod
Amiguru said,
February 16, 2012 @ 3:57 pm
Rod,
Oscar was formerly in the 5th. Seaforth Highlanders. The fourth son of Mr. Mrs. T.E. Fisher of Grimsby he was killed whilst flying on 30th. July 1918. Although he didn’t necessarily die in actual combat, (for accidents were all to frequent in the early days of avation), he was to receive, postumously, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
February 16, 2012 @ 5:41 pm
Neville,
many thanks, always appreciated.
Best,
Rod
Veronica said,
February 16, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
His father Thomas Edwin born in Kent , is listed in 1911 as a steam ship owner and Oscar as a fish merchant. They were living at Oakroyd Abbey Park Road Gt Grimsby.
Oscar was born approx 1891in Grimsby
Rod said,
February 16, 2012 @ 7:01 pm
Veronica,
his father’s occupation certainly goes some way to explaing the very impressive and fitting memorial.
Thank you very much indeed, that’s all entirely new to me Veronica
Best
Rod
Veronica said,
February 16, 2012 @ 7:22 pm
Plot thickens Rod
Thomas and Sarah’s oldest son was born In Bergen Norway. Very interesting .Ty very much for highlighting Oscar.
Rod said,
February 16, 2012 @ 7:29 pm
Veronica,
great find, very interesting, I must say when I saw the name Oscar Fisher I did wonder whether there was an interesting past there in terms of heritage as it sounds a slightly unusual English name for the period.
Hopefully we can find out more and do justice to Oscar’s memory
Thanks and regards,
Rod
Kate said,
February 16, 2012 @ 8:28 pm
T.E Fisher was apparently based at Fish Dock Road - did they perhaps run steam trawlers, and also import fish based commodities, e.g. dried cod, ground fish fertilisers, etc from Norway (the Bergen connection?), esp. if Oscar was described as a fish merchant?
K
Veronica said,
February 16, 2012 @ 8:39 pm
sarah’s father Henry Morris , was a ……. !!! SMA ..CK BOATS owner ??? if I have read the 1871 census writing correctly . which i assume being in Grimsby is some sort of fishing boat . and not some sort of …………
Kate said,
February 17, 2012 @ 12:13 am
:) No, you’re right Veronica, it’s all above board, ’scuse the pun! A smack was a type of sailing boat generally used for fishing.
Further to, it seems that Mr Morris moved up to Grimsby with a business partner either from Thameside Greenwich or Barking in London; surprisingly in the 1861 census, it shows about 91 of the 209 fishermen recorded as living in Grimsby (and at least half of their wives) came from there! Even more remarkable is that at the time only about 12 fishermen came from Grimsby itself. Whilst it appears that one of the census recorders at the time was a little careless with their figures, this is still an interesting finding. If you have a chance, do a google for a document called ‘Following the fish to Grimsby’, makes very interesting reading - well, if you like that sort of thing
Kate
Rod said,
February 17, 2012 @ 7:30 am
Wonderful stuff, it’s great to hear of Oscar’s family background.
Many thanks indeed.
Rod
Veronica said,
February 17, 2012 @ 8:50 am
I found a reference to a Morris and Fisher steam ship owners in Grimsby . Is it possible that Thomas and his father in law Henry went into business together and this is Oscar s family ?
Nicola Pike said,
February 21, 2012 @ 6:04 pm
Many Skipper’s & owners wives travelled on board smacks. I suppose it was like a holiday (not one I would like to try!)
Oscar had 3 brother
Edwin Stuart who I can’t find any war record for
Sidney Morris who was in 2nd Lincs reg 104 Still living at Oakroyd on enlistment
John Kenneth 1898 the youngest A & I.C.S., 16469 (Lt) Enlisted from Oakroyd
Rod said,
February 21, 2012 @ 7:19 pm
Nicola,
that’s wonderful - many thnaks indeed - I’m really pleased how this has gone, so much so I think we’ll have a few more . . .
Thanks and regards
Rod