United Kingdom Book of Remembrance - William Henry Fisher

 The United Kingdom Book of Remembrance commemorates the United Kingdom casualties of those from the two world wars and hasn’t been formally recorded by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission.  The names have been recent additions to the war dead list and are only commemorated by their database record and register entry.  The Book of Remembrance is maintained at the head office of the Commission at the Maidenhead, and the names will remain in the book until the Commission has investigated the location and the grave location details. In every case, the burial is known to the Commission, but certain protocols need to be followed which can be as long as 3 years.

The United Kingdom Book of Remembrance currently has 1035 names. Three of them are men from Swansea: William Henry Fisher, Jenkin Robert Lewis, and William David Morgan.

Private William Henry Fisher fought with the 14^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment.  Died on the 25^th of November 1915, aged 24 years. Son of Mr. W. H. Fisher; husband of Elizabeth Maud Fisher of Swansea.

William is buried at St. Peters Church, Cockett.

St. James Church, Swansea, 3^rd April 1891, William Harman Fisher marries Edith Mary Thomas.

William Harman Fisher and Edith Mary Thomas
marriage certificate
St. James church

Two days later, on 5th April, the couple were residing at 119 Coventry House, Creckwell Street, Tenby, the home of Vasilian Thomas, Edith ‘s sister, at the time of the 1891 Census.

1891 Census

Vasilian, 23, is a dressmaker. William, 23, is a Sea Mariner, whilst Edith, also 23 is a dressmaker.

The following year, 1892, William, is born at Tenby.

By the time of the 1901 Census, the couple had returned to Swansea and were living at 3 Baptist Well Street.

1901 Census

William, 33, is a Ship Rigger, whilst Edith, is only 22!

William, the eldest son, is 9 and his younger siblings are George, 8, and 14-month-old Edith M.

Also present is James H. Thomas, 37, Mary’s brother, who is employed as a Fish Buyer.

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family moved to 30 Sea View Terrace.

1911 Census

William, 42, is an Engineer Clerk, whilst Edith, her age is correct 41 years old.

William still the eldest child at home, now 19, is an engineer apprentice.

The next brother, George isn’t mentioned on the census, could he have died?

Edith M., 11, attends school, whilst the other children are Thomas Hector, 8; Charles Ivor, 6; Phyllis May, 2 and 2-month-old Elwyn George.

William marries during 1913, Elizabeth M. Norman.

Whilst William’s army records haven’t survived, it is information from the In From The Cold project, has recorded that William died post-discharge of tuberculosis

In From The Cold ensures that the sacrifices of the British and Commonwealth servicemen in the two world wars are not forgotten.