Geoffrey Herbert Fisher

Geoffrey Herbert was the third son of Horace Arthur and Sarah Kate Fisher (nee Thackeray). His father Horace Arthur was born in Hyson Green, Nottingham, in 1854 the son of James and Emma Fisher. He was baptised at St Paul, Hyson Green, on 3 December 1854. His mother Sarah Kate was born in Nottingham in 1854, the daughter of John Lawson and Eliza Thackerary. She was baptised at Radford Christ Church on 21 October 1854. Horace Arthur and Sarah Kate were married at Arnold St Mary in 6 August 1879. They had six children all of whom were baptised at Radford Christ Church: James Thackeray b. Ruddington 1883; Sybil Blanche b. Nottingham 1885; Horace Frank (also Frank Horace k/a Frank) b. Nottingham 1886; Geoffrey Herbert b. Nottingham birth registered 1888 (J/F/M) bap. 27 March 1888; John Wilfrid b. Nottingham birth registered 1893 (J/F/M) and Florence Maud b. Nottingham 1894. In 1881 Horace (26), a lace manufacturer, and Sarah (26) were living at Arnon House, Ruddington. They employed three staff, a cook, parlour maid and groom. Their first child, James Thackeray, was born in Ruddington two years later in March 1883 but by the time of his baptism in the May they were living in The Park, Nottingham. By 1891 Horace and Sarah were living at Duke William Mount, Newcastle Circus, Standard Hill, Nottingham, with their four children James, Sybil, Frank and Geoffrey. Also in the household was Sarah's widowed mother, Eliza Thackeray who was 'living on own means'. Horace and Sarah employed a cook, butler, house maid, nurse (domestic), under nurse (domestic) and a kitchen maid. The family had moved to The Hills, Bramcote, Nottingham by 1901 but only the two youngest children, John and Florence were in the home on the night of the census. Also in the household were seven domestic servants: ladies' maid, cook, parlour maid, two house maids, kitchen maid and scullery maid. James was a gentleman cadet at Woolwich, London (subsequently commissioned in the Royal Engineers, possibly in 1902), Sybil was at school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Frank at school in Great Malvern, Worcestershire, and Geoffrey at school in Eastbourne, Sussex. Horace had retired by 1911 ('private means') and was living with his wife at Arno Vale, Arnold, with three of his six children: Frank, a mining engineer, Sybil and John. Also in the household were seven domestic servants: cook, two parlour maids, house maid, maid, under-maid and kitchen maid. At the time of the 1911 census James was at the Garrison, Sheerness, a lieutenant 39 Corps Royal Engineers, but Geoffrey and Florence have not yet been traced, although Geoffrey, who would have been about 23 years old, may have already been pursuing an agricultural career in Canada. Geoffrey's brother John Wilfred died of wounds in July 1916, nine months after Geoffrey's death. (See 'Extra information') James Thackeray served with the Royal Engineers and was awarded the DSO in the New Year Honours List, 1918: 'Maj. James Thackeray Fisher, Royal Engineers'. He served in India after the war and retired in the rank of lieutenant-colonel. The youngest sibling, Florence Maud, probably died in 1918 (J/F/M) aged 24. Their father Horace Arthur died on 30 January 1937 aged 82. He had lived at Car Colston Hall, Nottinghamshire, for several years before his death. His widow, Sarah Kate, died on 6 June 1939; the probate record gave her address at Whatton Grange, Nottinghamshire.

He was educated at Malvern and Clare College Cambridge

Geoffrey Herbert enlisted in the Canadian Light Horse on the outbreak of the war in 1914. He served with the unit until commissioned in the Sherwood Foresters as second lieutenant on 23 June 1915 and posted to the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, then serving in France. He was wounded on 14 October 1915 during the fighting for the Hohzenzollern Redoubt and died of his wounds eleven days later on 25 October in the main base hospital at Etaples. Geoffrey was buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He qualified for the 1914/Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. 'Hohenzollern Redoubt ... October 14th seemed a never-ending day for those in the Redoubt. Fortunately in a way, the lines were too close together for us to be shelled, but bombing went on almost uninterruptedly, and our casualties mounted rapidly. Grenadier reinforcements were sent along from time to time from every Company in the battalion, also from the 5th Batalion, whilst 2nd Lieut. GH Fisher, who was acting as Grenade Officer in the absence of Hemingway, came up during the mroning, and at the right barricade displayed great courage until he was badly wounded and had to leave, dying a few days later.' From 'The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914-1919 1/8th Battalion' (p.93), Capt. WCC Weetman MC CdG. The 1/8th Bn lost three officers and 25 other ranks on 14 October including brothers Lieut. EFS Handford and Captain HBS Handford. (See records on this Roll of Honour). As with 2nd Lieut. Fisher, there were others who died later from wounds.

His younger brother Captain John Wilfred Fisher, 10th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds on 8 July 1916 and was buried in Heilly Station Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Greater love hath no man than this' Nottingham Evening Post, 20 October 1915: ‘Wounded. Second-Lieut. GH Fisher. Second-Lieut. GH Fisher, who is 24 years of age, is the son of Mr HA Fisher of Arno Vale, Daybrook, and has been at the front for about two months. A few days ago he was seriously wounded in both thighs and the left arm by a bomb and now lies in hospital at Le Touuquet. Receiving his education at Malvern, for some years he had been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Canada, where he enlisted in the Canadian light Horse on the outbreak of the war and returning to Nottingham obtained a commission in the 8th Sherwood Foresters (TF) in June of the present year.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 3 February 1937: ‘Former Lace Manufacturer. Funeral at Car Colston of Mr HA Fisher. The funeral took place at Car Colston Parish Church, yesterday, of Mr Horace Arthur Fisher, who died at his residence, Car Colston hall, on Saturday, at the age of 82. Mr Fisher was a native of Notts, and for many years carried on business as a lace net manufacturer in Nottingham. He was a justice of the peace and in his younger days was a very keen shot. He had resided at Car Colston hall for the last three or four years and formerly lived at Arno-vale. The service was conducted by the Rev HS King, rector of East Bridgford, assisted by the Rev TES Ferris, rector of Screveton with Car Colston. The family mourners included Lieut-Col. JT Fisher (son), Mrs Fisher (daughter-in-law), Mr FH Fisher (son) and Miss Fisher [Sybil Blanche] (daughter).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Fisher Horace Arthur of Car Colston Hall Car Colston Nottinghamshire died 30 January 1937 Probate Nottingham 17 March to James Thackeray Fisher DSO retired lieutenant-colonel HM Army Sybil Blanche Fisher spinster and William Noel Parr solicitor. Effects £148951 1s. 4d. Resworn £148892 5s. 5d. Probate: Fisher Sarah Kate of Whatton Grange Nottinghamshire widow died 6 June 1939 Probate Nottingham 17 August to James Thackeray Fisher retired lieutenant-colonel HM army and Bernard William Langford Bulkeley director of education. Effects £8178 9s. 5d.