Fisher Sydney Charles 7106

SAPPER SYDNEY CHARLES FISHER

7106 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

Kew, Melbourne, Vic was the birthplace of Sydney Charles (Charlie) Fisher in 1893 the son of William and Agnes (nee Stubbs) Fisher. His family moved to Western Australian and his occupation was clerk.

At twenty-two years of age at the Recruiting Office in Perth, Western Australia on August 9, 1915 he applied to enlist for active service abroad. Personal particulars were taken after passing the medical examination reveal he was unmarried, stood 170cms (5ft 7ins) tall with a chest measurement of 89cms (35ins). Postal address was 11 Rose Street, North Perth, W.A. Declared fit for service his application was accepted by the Recruiting Officer.

Attestation Forms were completed the same day describe him as 168cms (5ft 6ins) in height, weighing 50kgs (110lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-89cms (33-35ins). Fresh was his complexion with blue eyes and had brown hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin was his father Mr William Fisher of 11 Rose Street, North Perth, W.A. The ‘Oath on Enlistment’ was taken the same day.

Basic training began as a Private with the 25th Depot Battalion on August 27 concluding October 15, 1915 then was assigned to the 12th Reinforcement to the 12th Battalion at Blackboy Hill camp. On November 8 he was moved to the 22nd Depot for a month then was placed with the 13th Reinforcement to the 14th Battalion in the rank of Sergeant remaining to January 3, 1916. From there the Sergeant moved to the 40th Depot Company until sent to the Officers’ School on January 20 for a month and on February 18, 1916 went to the 44th Battalion.

During this time he married on March 20, 1916 to Louisa (Louie) Jane Mack. Next-of-kin was now listed as his wife living at 19 Cowle Street, West Perth.

On May 3, 1916 went to the 16th Battalion’s 21st Reinforcement until October 5 then relocated to the 7th Reinforcement to the 5th Pioneer Battalion until November 4, 1916. Next was the 92nd Depot Battalion serving with the 9th Reinforcement to the 51st Battalion until December 2, 1916 and moved temporarily to the 6th Reinforcement for the 39th Battalion. Four days later went back to the 22nd Depot for three days. On December 9 he was transferred to the Tunnelling Reinforcements and on January 19 was sent to their training camp at Seymour, Vic with the rank of Acting Sergeant until January 27, 1917 when he reverted to a Sapper. His regimental number was 7106 and was assigned to the February, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. In preparation for departure abroad it was noted that his Will had been lodged with his wife Mrs S.C. Fisher, 19 Cowle Street, West Perth, W.A.

The transport HMAT A9 Shropshire embarked from Melbourne, Vic on May 11, 1917 with 168 members of the February Reinforcements on board. Sapper Fisher left Australian waters from Fremantle harbour and after crossing the Indian Ocean the ship docked at Durban, South Africa. Next Port-of-call was Capetown to refuel about June 21, followed by another stopover at an unrecorded harbour would have completed the trip-sheet. After being at sea for 70 days the voyage terminated at Plymouth, England on July 19, 1917. The three officers and 165 other ranks were detrained to Tidworth while two were hospitalised at Plymouth before arriving on July 21 at Nos 1 & 3 camps at Parkhouse for further training for the front.

A month later on August 18, 1917 the Reinforcement departed Southampton for France marching into the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles the next day. He was assigned on September 9 to join the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company pending absorption and two days later was taken on strength Supernumerary.

On October 19, 1917 he was wounded in action from gas shell attack and taken to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station. He was conveyed on October 25 on A.T.24 and admitted to the 7th Canadian General Hospital in Etaples with shell gas poisoning and scabies (skin irritation caused by Itch Mite whose eggs are laid under the skin’s outer layer.) Four days later was transferred to the 6th Convalescent Depot in Etaples for two days then onto the 4th Convalescent Depot at Havre.

Base Records advised his wife on November 20, 1917 that he had been wounded in action (gas).

While convalescing Sapper was admitted N.Y.D. (not diagnosed yet) on December 8, 1917 to the 39th General Hospital, Havre and returned to the 4th Convalescent Depot after treatment for Scabies on December 14 and noted with debility.

He was discharged to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles for Base Details on December 21, 1917 and returned to his unit on December 30.

Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for twelve months service abroad.

Leave was granted from March 5 to March 19, 1918 and was recorded in an audit on May 9, 1918 as ‘still attached’ to the Unit.

He was taken on strength on August 1, 1918 with his Company.

On October 10, 1918 the following was dealt with by the Commanding Officer of the Company:

Crime:W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service] on 18/8/18 Posting a letter in a

Civil P.O. in an area served by the Army Postal Service – contrary to

G.R.O. 2044, Par 20.

Award:28 day’s F.P. No.2 [Field Punishment]

He was with the Company when Peace was declared and they remained on the front continuing to supply electricity and mobile equipment such as pumps for water and small engines to assist the rehabilitation of the district.

Recalled to the A.G.B.D. in Rouelles, Sapper marched out to Havre on February 16, 1919 for return to England. Crossing the English Channel marched into the 1st Training Brigade Convalescent Depot the next day to await his voyage home.

He embarked on February 28, 1919 on the H.T. Anchises for Australia. Base Records advised his wife on March 13, 1919 that he was on his way home. A full list of soldiers returning on the transport was published in:

The ship arrived on April 7, 1919 at Albany, W.A. (5th Military District) for quarantine. News of their arrival there and to Perth appeared as follows:

Military Discharge was issued in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) on May 11, 1919 on termination of his period of enlistment.

The following year he was a candidate sitting for the following examination:

Sapper 7106 Sydney Charles Fisher, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company was issued with the British War Medal (18684) and the Victory Medal (17967) for serving his country.

Charlie and his wife Louie were residing at Mount Hawthorn in Perth when the following was published:

The following year he wrote to the newspaper in defence of courteous motor cycle riders:

Car Registrations were announced in the newspaper and his purchase was listed in the news:

Later that year the following was reported involving an accident:

Another letter to the Editor was printed in:

In 1937 the couple were living at 128 Dalkeith’s Road, Perth with his occupation given as clerk.

A Statement of Service was issued by Base Records for the Repatriation Commission’s Office in Perth, W.A. on November 26, 1946.

They are listed in 1954 at 7 Joyce Street, Nedlands and still working as a clerk.

In 1963 home was listed at Scarborough Beach Road, North Perth and in retirement.

Sydney Charles Fisher passed away on July 31, 1963 at 70 years of age. A cremation was held at the Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth, W.A. and his ashes are noted to have been taken by the War Graves Commission at the crematorium.

His wife Louisa Jane Fisher died on July 26, 1973 at 79 years and is commemorated on the Rose Memorial with ashes placed at site 90, position 36 of the Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth.