Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Corporal G C Fisher was serving with B Company Machine Gun Corps Heavy Section, whilst stationed at Elveden Camp, Thetford when he signed the visitors’ book in the tea room on Peterborough East Station on 5 September 1916.  His service record has not survived, so we cannot positively identify this soldier.

However, we believe he may be George Christopher Fisher who was born on 26 September 1890 in Walsall, Staffordshire to parents George Stephen, a painter and Mary Ann (nee Tunney).  In 1891, baby George was living in Victor Street, Walsall with his parents and siblings Catherine (13) and Alfred (5).  In 1901, both George and Alfred were in the Union Workhouse, Stream Road, Kingswinford, Staffordshire.  In 1911, at the age of 20, George was boarding at 81 Waterway Street, Nottingham and was a meat salesman.

George married Hilda Mary Reed in Nottingham in 1915, and they had a daughter, Hilda May born later that year.

George commenced his service with the Machine Gun Corps Heavy Section, which later became the Royal Tank Corps.  George was killed in action in France on 3 May 1917, and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about George.